Timber Weight FAQ's

Understanding the weight of timber is crucial for a wide range of applications, from construction and carpentry to transportation and trade. Our Timber Weight FAQs aim to address the most common queries and concerns about timber weight, providing insights into various factors like species density, moisture content, and calculation methods. Whether you are a professional in the wood industry or a DIY enthusiast, these FAQs will help deepen your understanding of timber and its characteristics.


Do all woods weigh the same?
No, every wood species has its own weight. This is because the cells inside the wood are packed differently for each type. Some woods have more air inside them, which makes them lighter, while others are packed tightly with more wood substance, making them heavier.

Each wood has a density value; in metric this is shown as kg/m3. So, this helps us determine the weight of each species. E.g. Let us say we know that a wood species is 500kg/m3. That means for every cubic meter of this wood it will weigh 500kg. We then must factor its moisture content. Moisture in the wood significantly affects its weight. More on how moisture content affects the weight of wood

Which weighs more, hardwoods or softwoods?
Most hardwoods usually weigh more than most softwoods because they tend to have more dense wood fibers. This means there is more wood in the same amount of space. Softwoods are generally lighter because they have less dense fibers. BUT this is not always the case, some softwoods are very dense and heavy and some hardwoods can be very light. Balsa wood, for example, is a hardwood and is renowned as being one of the lightest woods we use, just to add some confusion!

In summary, never assume that hardwoods are always heavier than softwoods. It is best to check the density of the wood and calculate the weight using Wooduweigh, also try our wood weight comparison tool >

Does the age of trees affect the weight?
Yes, the older a tree gets, the more time it has had to develop dense wood, which can make it heavier.

Does the weight of timber affect the durability of timber?
Weight alone does not determine durability. A wood's durability depends on its species and how its been processed. Some light woods can be very durable, while some heavy woods may not be, depending on how they are used.

Are heavier timbers more expensive?
Not always. The price of timber depends on how rare it is, how hard it is to get, and its desirable characteristics, not just its weight. Sometimes lighter woods can be more expensive if they are in high demand or hard to find.

Why do Kiln Dried, Air Dried, and green (fresh sawn) timber weigh differently?
It is all about the water content. Kiln-dried wood has had most of its moisture removed, so it is lighter. Air-dried wood still retains some moisture but less than green wood, which is very heavy because it is full of water, just like a sponge straight out of a bucket.

How do you calculate the weight of wood?
You find out how much space the wood takes up, known as its volume, and then multiply by how heavy the wood is for that volume, which is its density. Our tool, Wooduweigh, has a database that knows the density for lots of wood types, making it easy to find out the weight.

Tool to calculate the weight of wood
Wooduweigh is your go-to tool for calculating the weight of wood. Whether you need the weight of a single piece or an entire load, Wooduweigh can give you the figures for any wood type, in pounds or kilograms.

Calculating the weight of wood for transportation
Knowing the weight is crucial for transport to make sure vehicles can handle the load. With Wooduweigh, you can quickly figure out the total weight of your timber, whether it is for a small project or a large shipment.

Is it possible to calculate the weight of wood?
Absolutely! With the right measurements and density values, Wooduweigh can accurately calculate the weight of any wood, helping you plan for projects, costs, and transportation.

How much does wood weigh?
The weight of wood varies based on its type and size. With Wooduweigh, you can input the dimensions of your timber and instantly get its weight, which helps in planning and budgeting for any wood-related project.

Can timber weight be calculated?
Yes, timber weight can be calculated by considering the wood's density and multiplying it by its volume and, importantly, taking into account its moisture content . Wooduweigh simplifies this process, providing quick and accurate weight calculations.

Is there a tool for architects to calculate timber weight?
Wooduweigh is specifically designed for architects and professionals who need to know the weight of timber for their designs and projects. It is a reliable tool that considers various wood species and their characteristics.

How to calculate the weight of wood in the UK in pounds?
To calculate the weight of wood in pounds, you just need to know the wood's volume in cubic feet and the density in pounds per cubic foot. Multiply these two numbers together, and you have got the weight in pounds. Wooduweigh can automatically convert these measurements for you, even if you start with metric dimensions

How to calculate the weight of wood in the UK in kg?
Calculating wood weight in kilograms is similar to pounds, but you use the wood's volume in cubic meters and the density in kilograms per cubic meter. Multiply volume by density, and you will get the weight in kilograms. Wooduweigh makes this easy by doing the conversion and calculation for you.

Wood weight calculation formula
The formula for calculating wood weight is simple: Weight = Volume x Density. The volume is the wood's size (length x width x thickness), and density is how much a certain volume of wood weighs. Wooduweigh uses this formula along with a detailed database to determine wood weight for you.

Note to be more accurate you need to factor the moisture content if you know it. So the full calculation is: Weight = Volume x Density x moisture content [this is a more complex value based on the species] our tool does this for you but you can learn more about how moisture affects the weight of wood here.

Timber weight calculator metric
Wooduweigh's timber weight calculator uses metric measurements, so you can input dimensions in meters, centimeters, or millimeters and get the weight in kilograms. It is designed to be flexible and user-friendly for all your project needs.

Lumber weight calculator
Our lumber weight calculator helps you estimate the weight of different types of lumber based on their volume and density. Enter your lumber's dimensions, select the species, and Wooduweigh will do the rest, providing you with an accurate weight estimate.

Firewood weight calculator
Planning to stock up on firewood? Use Wooduweigh to calculate the weight of your firewood pile. Just input the size of the logs and the type of wood, and you will know how much your firewood weighs, which is great for storage and burning planning. Try our wood log weight calculator

Green wood weight calculator
Green wood is often described as fresh sawn or freshly cut timber and full of moisture, which makes it heavier. With Wooduweigh, you can account for the higher moisture content in green wood to get an accurate weight, which is essential for various woodworking and lumber processing activities.

Wooden box weight calculator
Need to know how heavy your wooden box will be? Input the dimensions of the box into Wooduweigh, choose the wood type, and you'll have an estimate for the box's weight. This tool is perfect for shipping, logistics, or just to satisfy your curiosity.

wooduchoose - the home of wood

Match existing wood mouldings with Wooduchoose.

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