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Wood Density Chart and Calculator
Air-dry wood density at 12% moisture content (12% MC)
This wood density chart lists the typical density of wood for common species at
air-dry condition (12% moisture content). Use it to compare wood density in kg/m³,
lb/ft³, and g/cm³ for hardwoods and softwoods.
The chart includes common species such as oak, pine, cedar,
Douglas fir, redwood, ash, cherry,
maple, walnut, and black spruce. You can also use the
calculator below to convert density values instantly between units.
Wood Density Calculator
Select a species to auto-fill a typical air-dry density, or enter any value to convert between
lb/ft³, kg/m³, and g/cm³.
Typical air-dry density values are loaded from the table below.
Conversion factors: 1 lb/ft³ = 16.018463 kg/m³; 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³; 1 lb/ft³ ≈ 0.01601846 g/cm³.
Wood Density by Species
The values below represent typical air-dry wood density at 12% MC. Actual density varies with
growth conditions, grain structure, region, and moisture content.
Filter table
Wood density chart for common species at air-dry condition (12% moisture content)
| Wood species |
Density (lb/ft³) |
Density (kg/m³) |
| Alder, red | 28 | 449 |
| Ash, black | 35 | 561 |
| Ash, Oregon | 38 | 609 |
| Ash, white | 42 | 673 |
| Aspen | 27 | 432 |
| Basswood | 26 | 416 |
| Beech | 44 | 705 |
| Birch, paper | 39 | 625 |
| Birch, yellow | 43 | 689 |
| Cedar, Alaska | 31 | 497 |
| Cedar, eastern red | 33 | 529 |
| Cedar, western red | 23 | 368 |
| Cedar, northern white | 21 | 336 |
| Cedar, southern white | 23 | 368 |
| Cherry, black | 35 | 561 |
| Chestnut | 30 | 481 |
| Cottonwood, eastern | 28 | 449 |
| Cottonwood, black | 24 | 384 |
| Cypress, bald | 32 | 513 |
| Douglas fir, coast type | 34 | 545 |
| Douglas fir, mountain type | 30 | 481 |
| Elm, American | 36 | 577 |
| Elm, rock | 44 | 705 |
| Elm, slippery | 37 | 593 |
| Fir, balsam | 27 | 432 |
| Fir, white | 26 | 416 |
| Gum, black | 35 | 561 |
| Gum, red | 34 | 545 |
| Hemlock, eastern | 29 | 465 |
| Hemlock, western | 29 | 465 |
| Hickory, pecan | 46 | 737 |
| Hickory, shagbark | 51 | 817 |
| Larch, western | 39 | 625 |
| Locust, black | 48 | 769 |
| Maple, bigleaf | 34 | 545 |
| Maple, black | 40 | 641 |
| Maple, red | 36 | 577 |
| Maple, silver | 33 | 529 |
| Maple, sugar | 44 | 705 |
| Oak, red | 44 | 705 |
| Oak, white | 47 | 753 |
| Pine, eastern white | 25 | 400 |
| Pine, lodgepole | 29 | 465 |
| Pine, northern white | 25 | 400 |
| Pine, Norway | 34 | 545 |
| Pine, ponderosa | 28 | 449 |
| Pine southern yellow, loblolly | 36 | 577 |
| Pine southern yellow, longleaf | 41 | 657 |
| Pine southern yellow, shortleaf | 35 | 561 |
| Pine, sugar | 26 | 416 |
| Pine, western white | 28 | 449 |
| Poplar, yellow | 28 | 449 |
| Redwood | 30 | 481 |
| Spruce, black | 28 | 449 |
| Spruce, Engelmann | 24 | 384 |
| Spruce, Sitka | 28 | 449 |
| Sycamore | 35 | 561 |
| Sweetgum | 36 | 577 |
| Tamarack | 37 | 593 |
| Tupelo, black | 36 | 577 |
| Walnut, black | 38 | 609 |
Hardwood and Softwood Density
In general, hardwood density is often higher than the density of many softwoods, but this is not
always the case. Dense hardwoods such as white oak, hickory, and
black locust are heavier than lighter softwoods such as western red cedar,
spruce, and white pine. Density depends on species, moisture content, and growing conditions.
Oak Density
Typical oak density varies by species. In this chart, red oak density is
44 lb/ft³ (705 kg/m³), while white oak density is
47 lb/ft³ (753 kg/m³) at air-dry condition.
Pine Wood Density
The density of pine wood depends strongly on species. Eastern white pine is
25 lb/ft³ (400 kg/m³), ponderosa pine is 28 lb/ft³ (449 kg/m³),
and longleaf pine is 41 lb/ft³ (657 kg/m³).
Cedar Wood Density
Cedar wood density is generally lower than oak or hickory. In this table, western red cedar is
23 lb/ft³ (368 kg/m³), while eastern red cedar is 33 lb/ft³ (529 kg/m³).
Douglas Fir Density
Douglas fir density depends on type. Coast type Douglas fir is listed at
34 lb/ft³ (545 kg/m³), and mountain type Douglas fir at
30 lb/ft³ (481 kg/m³).
Redwood Density
Typical redwood density in this chart is 30 lb/ft³ (481 kg/m³)
at 12% moisture content.
Black Spruce Density
Black spruce wood density is listed as 28 lb/ft³ (449 kg/m³)
at air-dry condition, which is helpful for lb/ft³ and kg/m³ conversions.
How to Convert Wood Density
To convert wood density from lb/ft³ to kg/m³, multiply by 16.018463.
For example, a wood density of 44 lb/ft³ is about 705 kg/m³.
To convert from kg/m³ to g/cm³, divide by 1000. For example,
705 kg/m³ = 0.705 g/cm³.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does air-dry wood density mean?
Air-dry wood density usually refers to wood at about 12% moisture content. This is a common
reference condition for comparing species.
What is the density of oak?
In this chart, red oak is 44 lb/ft³ (705 kg/m³) and
white oak is 47 lb/ft³ (753 kg/m³).
What is the density of pine wood?
Pine density varies by species. Examples here include 25 lb/ft³ (400 kg/m³) for eastern white pine
and 41 lb/ft³ (657 kg/m³) for longleaf pine.
How do I convert wood density from lb/ft³ to kg/m³?
Multiply the value in lb/ft³ by 16.018463 to get kg/m³.
What is the density of Douglas fir?
In this chart, Douglas fir density ranges from 30 lb/ft³ (481 kg/m³) for mountain type
to 34 lb/ft³ (545 kg/m³) for coast type.
What is the density of black spruce wood?
Black spruce density is listed here as 28 lb/ft³ (449 kg/m³) at air-dry condition.
Related Wood Material Properties
Reference
- Forest Products Laboratory (1953). Weights of Various Woods Grown in the United States. USDA Forest Service, Bulletin 208.
- Oberg, E., Jones, F. D., Horton, H. L., Ryffel, H. H. Machinery's Handbook. 30th ed., Industrial Press, 2016.
- Baumeister, T., et al. Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers. McGraw-Hill, 2007.