Lumber & Material
Board Feet to Weight Converter
Convert board feet to pounds — by species, moisture content, and surfacing.
Calculator
Oak ~44, Maple ~40, Walnut ~38, Pine ~28.
Green / S-Dry / Kiln-dried
Rough / S4S
What makes this different
Most weight calculators use a single density value. This one lets you choose moisture content (fresh-cut, S-Dry, KD-HT) because green wood can be 50 % heavier than kiln-dried. It also adjusts for surfacing (S4S vs rough).
Who it's for & when to use it
Planning a delivery or move; sizing a vehicle for a load; designing a cart or hoist.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: Weight = BF × density × moisture_factor. Rough = 1.0; S4S ≈ 0.94 (less wood, same density).
Notes & tips from the shop
- A full sheet of 3/4 in plywood is roughly 60–75 lb — plan your helpers accordingly.
- Green oak can weigh 60 lb/cu ft; kiln-dried oak is closer to 44 lb/cu ft. Almost 30 % difference.
- Weight affects shipping costs as much as volume does for many carriers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my kiln-dried lumber heavier than expected?
Either it wasn't fully dried, or your density assumption is off. Check with a moisture meter (target 6–8 % for interior, 12–15 % for exterior).
Should I plan for kiln-dried weight or fresh-cut?
Order and store kiln-dried whenever possible. Plan weight based on the dry number.
Does S4S vs rough change the weight much?
Rough has slightly more wood, so it's slightly heavier. S4S is roughly 5–7 % lighter for the same nominal BF.
Limitations
Single species. Mixed loads require per-species calculation and addition.
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