LUMBER WEIGHT REFERENCE

Lumber weight calculator

Use actual dimensions, quantity and a documented density to estimate lumber-only mass.

01 / INPUTS

Switch units to convert the same quantity. Nominal size is a product label; weight uses actual dimensions.

Dimension entry

Actual thickness inActual width inLength ftNumber of pieces

Species weight exampleDensity lb/ft³Density evidenceSource / product referenceMoisture or condition basis

02 / ESTIMATED LUMBER ONLY

166.67lb

75.6 kg

Per piece: 16.67 lb
Solid volume: 3.33 ft³
Actual volume equivalent: 40 bd ft
Excluded tare: Not added

ILLUSTRATIVE INPUT

Use documented density and measured dimensions for your material. The initial 50 lb/ft³ example is hypothetical.

Formula and limitations

US volume = actual thickness (in) × actual width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 144 × count. Weight = volume × density. Metric inputs use mm, mm and m. Nominal presets provide a reference section, not a deduction applied to every product. The model assumes a solid rectangular section; grooves, hollows and packaging are excluded.

Read the calculation and reference disclaimer

NOMINAL → ACTUAL → VOLUME

A 2×4 is a name.
1½ × 3½ is a section.

For the dry surfaced Southern Pine reference, nominal 2×4 loads a 1½ × 3½ inch actual section. An 8-foot piece contains about 0.292 ft³ of wood—not the 0.444 ft³ implied by treating the name as measurements.

At an illustrative 40 lb/ft³, that is 11.67 lb rather than 17.78 lb.

Sizing source and scope ↗

Proportional cross-section, not a universal sizing rule. Measure rough, custom and other product profiles separately.

Conceptual arrangement of surfaced lumber showing varied board sections — **Measure the wood, not the label.**

ONE BOARD · SIX REFERENCE WEIGHTS

Same dimensions.
Different mass.

One 8-foot board, ¾ inch thick and 5½ inches wide. These estimates use the published 12% moisture reference for each wood.

Compare all 30 woods and change the size ↗

Western red cedar5.27 lb

Coast Douglas-fir7.79 lb

Black walnut8.71 lb

White oak11.00 lb

Ipe15.02 lb

Cumaru15.31 lb

Calculated examples, not guaranteed board weights. Each wood name links to its density source.

SAME SIZE · DIFFERENT WOOD

Compare species weights

Domestic hardwoods, construction softwoods and imported decking woods. This is a practical reference selection, not a sales-ranked top 30. Compare equal quantities at the stated 12% moisture reference condition.

Example nominal sectionLength · ftPieces

Decking 1×6 nominal → 0.75 × 5.5 in actual (19.05 × 139.7 mm). Same rectangular geometry for every row; not a claim that each species is sold in this profile. Size reference.

Selected examples · lumber only; no packaging or treatment allowance
Wood	Density lb/ft³ (kg/m³)	Example lb (kg)	Evidence
Black walnutDomestic hardwood	38608.7	8.713.95	USDA average ↗12% moisture basis
Coast Douglas-firSoftwood	34544.63	7.793.53	USDA average ↗12% moisture basis
GarapaImported hardwood	49.32790	11.35.13	Study sample ↗12% moisture basis
IpeImported hardwood	65.551,050	15.026.81	Study sample ↗12% moisture basis
Western red cedarSoftwood	23368.42	5.272.39	USDA average ↗12% moisture basis
White oakDomestic hardwood	48768.89	114.99	USDA average ↗12% moisture basis

USDA entries use the density column in Wood (2007), Table 6.7.2, not the specific-gravity column. Ipe, Cumaru and Garapa use the sample densities in Coatings (2020), Table 2. Metric values and board weights are calculated conversions; rounded outputs do not imply precise product weights.

Explore all 30 woods ↗Use a species preset in the calculator ↗Understand the moisture basis ↗

Density & evidence