Instantly estimate the weight of wood beams, boards, and timber shipments.
Ash (42 lbs/ft³)
Birch (44 lbs/ft³)
Cedar, Western Red (23 lbs/ft³)
Cherry (35 lbs/ft³)
Douglas Fir (32 lbs/ft³)
Fir, Balsam (25 lbs/ft³)
Hemlock (29 lbs/ft³)
Hickory (50 lbs/ft³)
Mahogany (34 lbs/ft³)
Maple, Hard (44 lbs/ft³)
Oak, Red (45 lbs/ft³)
Oak, White (47 lbs/ft³)
Pine, Eastern White (25 lbs/ft³)
Pine, Ponderosa (28 lbs/ft³)
Pine, Southern Yellow (36 lbs/ft³)
Poplar (29 lbs/ft³)
Redwood (28 lbs/ft³)
Spruce (28 lbs/ft³)
Walnut (38 lbs/ft³)
Ipe / Ironwood (60+ lbs/ft³)
Select the type of wood to determine density.
Custom Dimensions
2×4 (1.5″ x 3.5″)
2×6 (1.5″ x 5.5″)
2×8 (1.5″ x 7.25″)
2×10 (1.5″ x 9.25″)
2×12 (1.5″ x 11.25″)
4×4 (3.5″ x 3.5″)
4×6 (3.5″ x 5.5″)
6×6 (5.5″ x 5.5″)
Please enter a valid positive thickness.
Please enter a valid positive width.
Enter the length in feet (e.g., 8, 10, 12).
Please enter a valid positive length.
Quantity must be at least 1.
Total Estimated Weight
1,050 lbs
Weight Per Board:10.5 lbs
Total Volume (ft³):29.17 ft³
Total Board Feet (BF):350 BF
Density Used:36 lbs/ft³
Formula Used: Weight = (Thickness" × Width" × Length' ÷ 144) × Density × Quantity
Weight Breakdown
Quantity
Weight (lbs)
Weight (kg)
Weight Comparison (1 Board)
Comparing your selection against common wood types.
What is a Weight of Lumber Calculator?
A weight of lumber calculator is a specialized tool designed for contractors, engineers, logistics coordinators, and woodworkers to estimate the total mass of a wood shipment or structural load. Unlike generic volume calculators, this tool specifically accounts for the density of wood species, moisture content implications, and dimensional variables.
Knowing the precise weight of lumber is critical for:
Transportation Logistics: Determining if a truck or trailer is overloaded.
Structural Engineering: Calculating dead loads on foundations and framing.
Project Estimating: Estimating shipping costs which are often weight-dependent.
Many misconceptions exist regarding wood weight. For instance, a "2×4" is rarely 2 inches by 4 inches, and "dry" wood can still contain significant moisture. This calculator uses standard industry densities for air-dried lumber (approx. 12-19% moisture content) and actual dimensions to provide a realistic estimate.
Weight of Lumber Formula and Explanation
The calculation of lumber weight involves determining the physical volume of the wood and multiplying it by its specific density. The mathematical process follows these steps:
1. Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet (ft³)
Since lumber dimensions are mixed (inches for thickness/width, feet for length), we must convert everything to cubic feet:
Once volume is known, multiply by the density of the specific wood species:
Total Weight = Volume (ft³) × Density (lbs/ft³) × Quantity
Variables Definition
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range
Thickness
Actual thickness of the board
Inches (in)
0.75″ – 12″
Width
Actual width of the board
Inches (in)
1.5″ – 12″
Length
Longitudinal measurement
Feet (ft)
4′ – 24′
Density
Mass per unit of volume
lbs/ft³
20 – 60 lbs/ft³
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Deck Construction Material
A contractor is building a deck using Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine. They need to transport 50 boards of 2×10 lumber (actual size 1.5″ x 9.25″), each 12 feet long.
Density (Pine, SYP): ~36 lbs/ft³ (treated is often heavier, but using standard base)
Weight per board: 1.156 × 36 = 41.6 lbs
Total Weight: 41.6 lbs × 50 = 2,080 lbs
Interpretation: The contractor needs a trailer capable of hauling over 1 ton of payload, not including fasteners or other materials.
Example 2: Hardwood Flooring Shipment
A supplier is shipping a crate of White Oak boards. The crate contains 200 boards, each measuring 1 inch thick (actual), 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long.
Input Dimensions: 1″ × 6″ × 8′
Volume per board: (1 × 6 × 8) / 144 = 0.333 ft³
Density (White Oak): 47 lbs/ft³
Weight per board: 0.333 × 47 = 15.66 lbs
Total Weight: 15.66 lbs × 200 = 3,132 lbs
How to Use This Weight of Lumber Calculator
Select Species: Choose the wood type from the dropdown. Heavier hardwoods like Oak will drastically change the result compared to softwoods like Cedar.
Enter Dimensions: Input the actual thickness and width in inches, and length in feet. You can use the "Common Dimensions" dropdown to auto-fill standard lumber sizes (e.g., selecting 2×4 fills 1.5″ x 3.5″).
Set Quantity: Enter the total number of boards.
Review Results: The calculator updates in real-time. Check the "Total Estimated Weight" for logistics planning.
Analyze Breakdown: Use the table and chart to understand how single board weight compares to the total load.
Key Factors That Affect Lumber Weight Results
When calculating the weight of lumber, several variables can cause the actual scale weight to differ from theoretical estimates:
1. Moisture Content (MC)
Green lumber (freshly cut) can weigh 30-100% more than kiln-dried lumber. This calculator assumes air-dried densities (~15% MC). If you are hauling "wet" or pressure-treated wood, add 20-40% to the final estimate as a safety margin.
2. Wood Species Variation
Density is not constant even within a species. A slow-growing Pine tree produces denser wood than a fast-growing one. The values used here are averages provided by the USDA Forest Service wood handbook.
3. Pressure Treatment
Pressure-treated lumber (PT) is infused with chemical preservatives suspended in water. A freshly treated 2×4 can weigh nearly double that of an untreated, kiln-dried 2×4 due to the retained liquid.
4. Dimensional Tolerances
Rough-cut lumber is true to size (a 2×4 is actually 2″ x 4″), whereas surfaced (S4S) lumber is smaller. Using the wrong dimensions (nominal vs. actual) is the most common error in weight calculation.
5. Heartwood vs. Sapwood
In some species, the heartwood (center) is denser and filled with extractives, while sapwood is lighter. This variance typically averages out over large quantities.
6. Handling and Storage
Lumber stored outdoors can absorb rain and humidity, increasing its weight significantly compared to lumber stored in a climate-controlled warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is a 2×4 not actually 2 inches by 4 inches?
Lumber is sold by "nominal" size (the size before drying and planing). A "2×4″ starts as rough 2×4 but shrinks and is planed smooth to approximately 1.5″ x 3.5". Always use actual dimensions for weight calculations.
How much does a standard 2x4x8 weigh?
A standard kiln-dried Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) 2x4x8 weighs approximately 10-12 lbs. However, a pressure-treated 2x4x8 can weigh 15-18 lbs or more depending on moisture content.
What is the heaviest common wood?
Among domestic North American woods, Hickory and Live Oak are very heavy (approx 50+ lbs/ft³). Exotic woods like Ipe (Ironwood) can exceed 65 lbs/ft³ and typically sink in water.
What is a "Board Foot" vs. Cubic Foot?
A Board Foot (BF) is a volume measurement of 12″ x 12″ x 1″. One Cubic Foot equals exactly 12 Board Feet. Shipping weight is based on density per cubic foot, but lumber is often sold by the Board Foot.
Does this calculator work for logs?
No. Logs are cylindrical and require a specific log weight calculator that accounts for tapering, bark, and the Doyle or Scribner log scales. This tool is for rectangular sawn lumber.
How do I calculate weight for shipping quotes?
Calculate the total weight using this tool, then add pallet weight (approx 40-50 lbs per pallet). Always round up to account for packaging materials and density variations.
Is Plywood calculated the same way?
Roughly, yes, but plywood density varies by the glues used. A 4×8 sheet of 3/4″ plywood typically weighs around 60-70 lbs.
What is the difference between green and dry weight?
"Green" weight refers to wood that has just been cut and has moisture content above 19% (often 50%+). Dry weight refers to wood dried to equilibrium (usually 12-19%). Green wood is significantly heavier.
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