What This Calculator Does
This lumber weight calculator helps you figure out how much a load of lumber weighs before you pick it up from the lumberyard. Enter the wood species, nominal board dimensions, length, and quantity, and the calculator instantly tells you the total weight of your lumber load in pounds.
Knowing the weight of your lumber is essential for safe transport. Overloading a pickup truck or trailer can damage the vehicle, wear out suspension and brakes, and create dangerous driving conditions. This calculator lets you plan ahead so you can make the right number of trips or bring the right vehicle.
How Lumber Weight Is Calculated
Lumber weight depends on three factors: the volume of each board, the density of the wood species, and the number of boards.
**Formula:** \`\`\` Volume per board (ft³) = (actual width × actual height × length in inches) / 1,728 Weight per board (lbs) = volume × species density (lbs/ft³) Total weight (lbs) = weight per board × quantity \`\`\`
The calculation uses actual lumber dimensions, not nominal sizes. A "2x4" is actually 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches after milling. Using nominal dimensions would overestimate the weight by 20-30%.
Wood density values are based on air-dried lumber at approximately 12% moisture content, which is the standard condition for kiln-dried construction lumber sold at most lumberyards. Freshly cut (green) lumber can weigh 50-100% more due to water content.
Wood Species Density Reference
Different wood species have very different densities. Hardwoods like hickory and oak are significantly heavier than softwoods like cedar and spruce. Here are the densities used in this calculator (air-dried at approximately 12% moisture content):
**Softwoods (commonly used in framing):** - Southern Yellow Pine: 36 lbs/ft³ - Douglas Fir: 34 lbs/ft³ - Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF): 29 lbs/ft³ - Hem-Fir: 28 lbs/ft³ - Western Red Cedar: 23 lbs/ft³ - Redwood: 28 lbs/ft³ - Pressure-Treated (SYP): 42 lbs/ft³
**Hardwoods:** - White Oak: 47 lbs/ft³ - Red Oak: 44 lbs/ft³ - Hard Maple: 44 lbs/ft³ - Soft Maple: 38 lbs/ft³ - Ash: 42 lbs/ft³ - Hickory: 50 lbs/ft³ - Black Walnut: 38 lbs/ft³ - Cherry: 36 lbs/ft³ - Poplar/Tulipwood: 29 lbs/ft³
Nominal vs Actual Lumber Dimensions
Lumber is sold by nominal dimensions (like "2x4") but the actual milled size is smaller. This difference matters for weight calculations because the actual volume is what determines weight.
For example, a nominal 2x4 is actually 1.5" x 3.5", and a nominal 1x6 is actually 0.75" x 5.5". The calculator automatically converts nominal dimensions to actual dimensions for accurate weight results.
This size difference exists because lumber is cut to nominal size when green, then shrinks during the kiln-drying process, and is further reduced by planing to achieve smooth surfaces.
How to Use This Calculator
1. Select the wood species from the dropdown menu — this determines the density used in the calculation 2. Choose the nominal lumber dimensions (such as 2x4, 2x6, or 4x4) from the dimensions dropdown 3. Select or enter the board length in feet 4. Enter the quantity of boards you plan to transport 5. Review the total load weight and per-board details in the results section 6. Check the vehicle payload comparison to see if your truck or trailer can handle the load
FAQs
**Q: Why does pressure-treated lumber weigh more than regular lumber?** A: Pressure-treated lumber is infused with chemical preservatives under high pressure, which adds significant weight. The treatment process forces liquid preservatives deep into the wood fibers. Freshly treated lumber can contain a large amount of residual moisture and chemicals, making it considerably heavier than untreated wood of the same species. Even after drying, pressure-treated lumber remains heavier because the preservative compounds remain in the wood cells.
**Q: How accurate are these weight estimates?** A: These estimates are based on average air-dried densities at approximately 12% moisture content, which is standard for kiln-dried lumber. Actual weight can vary by 10-15% depending on the specific board's moisture content, growth conditions, and natural variation within a species. For critical load planning, add a 15% safety margin.
**Q: What if I am hauling green (freshly cut) lumber?** A: Green lumber contains much more moisture than kiln-dried lumber and can weigh 50-100% more. This calculator uses air-dried densities. If you are transporting green lumber, double the calculated weight as a rough estimate and reduce your load accordingly.
**Q: How much weight can a typical pickup truck carry?** A: A half-ton pickup (like a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado 1500) typically has a payload capacity around 1,500 lbs. A three-quarter-ton truck (F-250) handles about 3,000 lbs, and a one-ton truck (F-350) can carry around 5,000 lbs. Always check your specific vehicle's payload rating on the door sticker.
**Q: What are board feet and how do they relate to weight?** A: A board foot is a standard unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches (a 1-inch thick board that is 12 inches wide and 12 inches long). Board feet measure volume, not weight. The same number of board feet will weigh very differently depending on the wood species — oak boards weigh nearly twice as much as cedar boards of the same dimensions.
Explore Similar Tools
Explore more tools like this one:
- Lumber Calculator — Calculate board feet and total cost for lumber and wood... - Plywood Weight Calculator — Estimate the weight of a plywood sheet given dimensions,... - Board Foot Calculator — Calculate board feet for lumber pricing and project... - Concrete Weight Calculator — Estimate concrete weight from volume and unit selection... - Rebar Weight and Size Calculator — Calculate rebar weight, dimensions, and quantities for...