How to Use the Calculator
When utilizing the calculator, first determine whether you wish to calculate or estimate the weight, board footage, specific gravity, volume, and density for any given species of wood.
To assess the weight of wood, you’ll need to specify if it’s treated or untreated as pressure-treated lumber tends to be slightly heavier.
Lumber treated for ground contact has 0.15 pounds per cubic foot chemical retention compared to standard treated wood’s 0.06 pounds/cubic foot. From my experience, accurate input is crucial for reliable outcomes, so it’s wise to be as precise as possible in your selections.
Finally, enter the moisture content and press “calculate”
Lumber Size
Nominal Dimensions (inches) | Actual Dimensions (inches) |
| 1 x 2 | 3/4 x 1 1/2 |
| 1 x 3 | 3/4 x 2 1/2 |
| 1 x 6 | 3/4 x 5 1/2 |
| 1 x 10 | 3/4 x 9 1/4 |
| 1 x 12 | 3/4 x 11 1/4 |
| 2 x 2 | 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 |
| 2 x 4 | 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 |
| 2 x 6 | 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 |
| 2 x 8 | 1 1/2 x 7 1/2 |
| 4 x 4 | 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 |
| 4 x 6 | 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 |
| 6 x 6 | 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 |
Length
It is important to note that the board feet and volume are calculated using the lumber nominal dimensions rather than actual sizes. If a 1×12 is 1 foot long, it will be equivalent to 1 board foot and 0.0833 cubic feet.
Width
When working with a lumber weight calculator, you’ll need to input the actual width of the lumber, measured in both inches and their fractions for accuracy.In many scenarios, rough sawn lumber is typically sold by “board feet.”
This makes it relatively straightforward to deduce the length. From my experience, understanding these details helps ensure you get the most accurate results from your calculations.
Thickness
1-inch thick lumber is referred to as 4/4, 1-1/2 inches thick lumber as 6/4, 2-inch thick lumber as 8/4, etc. However, these are nominal sizes and not the actual thickness.
Read Next: Actual Sizing of 2×8 Boards
Density and Moisture Content
To assist you in using the lumber weight calculator more effectively, here are the average moisture content values for different wood species. Knowing these values can help you achieve more accurate and reliable results:
Untreated
- Fresh from the store: 15%
- Wet: ~30 %
- Very dry: 5% humidity [1]
- Average equilibrium for interior wood: 8 percent
Related Articles:
Treated Lumber
- Store-bought produce 35-75 percent
- Home stores sell mostly kiln-dried lumber with 19% and below
You can use a moisture meter to test out common wood species’ moisture content.
To know the specific measurements of wood density per type, here is a quick guide:
The Most Common Types of Lumber
Oak, Brown Maple, Pine, Walnut, Cherry, Quarter Sawn White Oak, Hickory, Elm, Douglas Fir are the most common types of hardwood used for furniture. In contrast, different species of softwoods such as red spruce, jack pine, lodgepole pine, etc., are usually used for construction.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
