Wood Weight by Species Calculator
Knowing how much a board weighs tells you if you can lift it, what it costs to ship, and how much a structure must support. This calculator multiplies the board volume by the species density you supply (from the USDA Wood Handbook for your species and moisture content) to give the total weight, with the volume and per-board-foot weight shown alongside. Because wood density varies by species and moisture, it is a user-editable input, never a guessed constant, in line with our sourcing rules.
Wood weight formula
Volume (cubic in) = length * width * thickness
Volume (cubic ft) = cubic in / 1728
Board feet = (length * width * thickness) / 144
Weight = volume (cubic ft) * density (lb per cubic ft)
This uses imperial units: inches for dimensions and pounds per cubic foot for density. One board foot is 144 cubic inches (a 12 by 12 by 1 inch piece), used for pricing rough lumber.
Weight notes
- Get species density from the USDA Wood Handbook at your moisture content.
- Convert specific gravity to density by multiplying by 62.4 lb per cubic foot.
- Green lumber weighs much more than kiln-dried; match the moisture state.
- Board feet are for pricing; cubic feet times density gives weight.
- Add an allowance for hardware and finish when sizing supports.
Wood weight: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the weight of a board?
Weight = volume x density. Volume is length x width x thickness, and density is the species value at a given moisture content. Keep units consistent: for example cubic feet times pounds per cubic foot gives pounds, or cubic meters times kilograms per cubic meter gives kilograms.
Where do I get wood density by species?
The USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook publishes specific gravity and density values for hundreds of species at standard moisture contents. Because density is species and moisture specific, this calculator takes it as a user-editable input rather than assuming a single value.
What is specific gravity and how do I convert it?
Specific gravity is density relative to water. Multiply specific gravity by the density of water (about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot or 1,000 kilograms per cubic meter) to get the wood's density in those units, then enter that density here.
Does moisture content change the weight?
Yes, significantly. Green lumber holds a lot of water and weighs far more than kiln-dried stock. Use the density value at the moisture content of your actual wood. The Wood Handbook tabulates values at green, 12 percent, and oven-dry conditions.
Why does board weight matter?
Weight tells you whether a tabletop, beam, or panel is safe to lift and carry, what shipping will cost, and how much load shelving or a structure must bear. Estimating it before milling avoids surprises during assembly and installation.
Official sources
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Wood Handbook, density and specific gravity by species.
- USDA Forest Service: Forest Service research publications.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 17 June 2026. See our methodology.