Lumber Weight Calculator
Enter board feet and select a wood species to calculate weight in pounds — for dry or green (freshly sawn) lumber.
Enter board feet and select a species above.
Lumber Weight by Species
Densities from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook (2021). Dry values are at approximately 12% moisture content.
| Species | Type | Dry density (lb/ft³) | Green density (lb/ft³) | Dry weight per BF (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir-Larch | Softwood | 32 | 35 | 2.7 |
| Southern Yellow Pine | Softwood | 35 | 37 | 2.9 |
| Hem-Fir | Softwood | 28 | 30 | 2.3 |
| Spruce-Pine-Fir | Softwood | 27 | 28 | 2.3 |
| Eastern White Pine | Softwood | 24 | 25 | 2.0 |
| Ponderosa Pine | Softwood | 27 | 28 | 2.3 |
| Western Red Cedar | Softwood | 23 | 27 | 1.9 |
| Sitka Spruce | Softwood | 27 | 28 | 2.3 |
| Red Oak | Hardwood | 44 | 64 | 3.7 |
| White Oak | Hardwood | 47 | 58 | 3.9 |
| Hard Maple | Hardwood | 44 | 47 | 3.7 |
| Soft Maple | Hardwood | 33 | 45 | 2.8 |
| Black Walnut | Hardwood | 38 | 58 | 3.2 |
| Black Cherry | Hardwood | 35 | 45 | 2.9 |
| Yellow-Poplar | Hardwood | 29 | 45 | 2.4 |
| Hickory | Hardwood | 50 | 63 | 4.2 |
| White Ash | Hardwood | 41 | 45 | 3.4 |
| Paper Birch | Hardwood | 38 | 57 | 3.2 |
| American Elm | Hardwood | 35 | 54 | 2.9 |
| Basswood | Hardwood | 26 | 42 | 2.2 |
How to calculate lumber weight
The formula is straightforward: one board foot equals 1/12 of a cubic foot of wood. So weight equals board feet × wood density ÷ 12.
Formula: Weight (lbs) = BF × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 12
Example: 500 board feet of dry Red Oak at 44 lb/ft³ = 500 × 44 ÷ 12 = 1,833 lbs.
Green vs dry lumber weight
Green lumber (freshly sawn) contains moisture in the wood cells. Red Oak can go from 64 lb/ft³ green to 44 lb/ft³ dry — a 45% difference. For load planning and shipping estimates, always confirm whether your lumber is green or kiln-dried (KD).
Why lumber weight matters
- Structural loads: Dead load calculations for floors and decks require accurate wood weight.
- Shipping: Freight costs are weight-based. Hardwood orders often weigh far more than expected.
- Kiln drying: Moisture loss during kiln drying reduces weight by 20–50% depending on species.
- Vehicle load limits: A full pickup truck bed of green Oak can easily exceed 1,500 lbs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a board foot of lumber weigh?
It depends on the species and moisture content. Dry Douglas Fir weighs about 2.7 lbs per board foot. Dry Red Oak weighs about 3.7 lbs per board foot. Green (freshly sawn) lumber weighs 20–80% more.
How do I calculate the weight of lumber?
Multiply board feet by the species density (lb/ft³) and divide by 12, since 1 BF = 1/12 cubic foot. Formula: Weight (lbs) = BF × density / 12.
Why does green lumber weigh more than dry?
Green lumber contains significant moisture in the wood cells. A freshly sawn oak board can be 40–50% heavier than the same board dried to 12% moisture content.
How much does a 2×4×8 stud weigh?
A dry (kiln-dried) Douglas Fir 2×4×8 weighs approximately 9 lbs using actual dimensions (1.5" × 3.5" × 8'), or about 12 lbs if calculated with nominal dimensions. Green framing studs typically weigh 14–18 lbs.
Why does lumber weight matter?
Lumber weight affects structural load calculations, shipping and freight costs, forklift and crane load limits at job sites, and kiln-drying scheduling. For large orders, even a 10% difference in density between species can change freight costs significantly.