Wood Density Database: 50 Species Compared for Woodworking Projects
Density governs screw-holding power, warp potential, and weight. Analyze our comprehensive database of 50 core and face wood species.
Giang Nguyen
Wood Manufacturing Expert
The Role of Wood Density in Woodworking
Wood density is the single most important physical property governing how a wood species behaves in the shop. Defined as mass per unit volume, density determines a wood's strength, weight, hardness, screw-holding power, machining resistance, and how much it will expand or contract with humidity changes.
For furniture makers, cabinet builders, and plywood users, understanding density is critical. If you build a bookshelf using a low-density wood species (like balsa or white pine), the shelves will sag under load. If you use an ultra-high-density wood (like lignum vitae or ipe), your tools will dull rapidly, and the completed piece will be too heavy to lift. Let's analyze wood density metrics, Janka hardness ratings, and compare 50 of the most common woodworking species.
Technical Density Metrics Explained
Wood density is typically measured and reported at a 12% moisture content, which is the standard equilibrium moisture content for indoor wood in temperate climates. Two main units are used in technical wood databases:
- kg/m³ (Kilograms per Cubic Meter): The metric standard.
- lbs/ft³ (Pounds per Cubic Foot): The imperial standard. To convert kg/m³ to lbs/ft³, multiply by 0.0624.
Janka Hardness is another key metric, measured in pounds-force (lbf). It measures the force required to embed a 0.444-inch diameter steel ball halfway into the wood. While Janka is a measure of hardness, it correlates closely with density.
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Comprehensive Wood Density Database: 50 Species Compared
| Wood Species (Common / Botanical Name) | Density (kg/m³) | Density (lbs/ft³) | Janka Hardness (lbf) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Balsa** (*Ochroma pyramidale*) | 150 | 9.3 | 70 | Model building, light cores |
| **Paulownia** (*Paulownia tomentosa*) | 270 | 16.8 | 290 | Lightweight cores, surfboards |
| **Western Red Cedar** (*Thuja plicata*) | 350 | 21.8 | 350 | Outdoor trim, siding |
| **Eastern White Pine** (*Pinus strobus*) | 400 | 25.0 | 380 | General utility, millwork |
| **Yellow Poplar** (*Liriodendron tulipifera*) | 450 | 28.1 | 540 | Secondary furniture woods, paint-grade cores |
| **Alder, Red** (*Alnus rubra*) | 450 | 28.1 | 590 | Cabinet faces, millwork |
| **Douglas Fir** (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) | 510 | 31.8 | 620 | Structural framing, plywood cores |
| **Birch, Paper** (*Betula papyrifera*) | 510 | 31.8 | 910 | Utility plywood, paint-grade faces |
| **African Mahogany** (*Khaya ivorensis*) | 530 | 33.1 | 830 | Premium furniture, veneer faces |
| **Spanish Cedar** (*Cedrela odorata*) | 530 | 33.1 | 600 | Cigar humidors, outdoor trim |
| **Sapele** (*Entandrophragma cylindricum*) | 640 | 39.9 | 1,410 | High-end furniture, window frames |
| **Teak** (*Tectona grandis*) | 655 | 40.9 | 1,070 | Marine decking, outdoor furniture |
| **Cherry, Black** (*Prunus serotina*) | 560 | 34.9 | 950 | Premium cabinetry, furniture |
| **Walnut, Black** (*Juglans nigra*) | 610 | 38.1 | 1,010 | Luxury furniture, veneer faces |
| **Maple, Soft (Red/Silver)** | 610 | 38.1 | 950 | Utility drawers, paint-grade cabinets |
| **Birch, Yellow** (*Betula alleghaniensis*) | 690 | 43.1 | 1,260 | Baltic birch plywood core & face |
| **Oak, Red** (*Quercus rubra*) | 700 | 43.7 | 1,290 | Flooring, heavy cabinetry, face veneers |
| **Oak, White** (*Quercus alba*) | 770 | 48.1 | 1,360 | Outdoor furniture, barrels, premium veneer |
| **Maple, Hard (Sugar)** (*Acer saccharum*) | 705 | 44.0 | 1,450 | Workbenches, chopping blocks, premium faces |
| **Ash, White** (*Fraxinus americana*) | 670 | 41.8 | 1,320 | Tool handles, chairs, veneer |
| **Hickory** (*Carya ovata*) | 800 | 50.0 | 1,880 | Tool handles, flooring, impact zones |
| **Ipe** (*Handroanthus spp.*) | 1,040 | 64.9 | 3,510 | Exterior decking, structural members |
| **Lignum Vitae** (*Guaiacum officinale*) | 1,230 | 76.8 | 4,500 | Bearings, mallet heads, ultra-heavy parts |
| **Ebony, Gaboon** (*Diospyros crassiflora*) | 960 | 59.9 | 3,080 | Musical instruments, inlay work |
| **Rosewood, East Indian** | 830 | 51.8 | 2,440 | Fine furniture, guitar fretboards |
| **Wenge** (*Millettia laurentii*) | 870 | 54.3 | 1,630 | Accent panels, luxury flooring |
| **Zebrawood** (*Microberlinia brazzavillensis*) | 805 | 50.2 | 1,575 | Veneer accents, luxury cabinets |
| **Purpleheart** (*Peltogyne spp.*) | 905 | 56.5 | 1,860 | Heavy construction, accents |
| **Padauk** (*Pterocarpus soyauxii*) | 745 | 46.5 | 1,725 | Turnery, musical instruments |
| **Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)** | 910 | 56.8 | 2,350 | Flooring, heavy-wear steps |
| **Bubinga** (*Guibourtia spp.*) | 890 | 55.6 | 2,410 | High-end furniture, turnery |
| **Cocobolo** (*Dalbergia retusa*) | 1,095 | 68.4 | 2,960 | Knife handles, fine inlay, turnery |
| **Basswood** (*Tilia americana*) | 415 | 25.9 | 410 | Wood carving, core veneer |
| **Butternut** (*Juglans cinerea*) | 400 | 25.0 | 490 | Carving, lightweight panels |
| **Chestnut, Sweet** (*Castanea sativa*) | 560 | 34.9 | 680 | Exterior posts, rustic furniture |
| **Elm, American** (*Ulmus americana*) | 560 | 34.9 | 830 | Interlocking grain parts, bentwood |
| **Hackberry** (*Celtis occidentalis*) | 590 | 36.8 | 880 | Secondary furniture woods, crates |
| **Hemlock, Western** (*Tsuga heterophylla*) | 465 | 29.0 | 540 | Construction lumber, subflooring |
| **Larch, European** (*Larix decidua*) | 590 | 36.8 | 830 | Exterior cladding, boatbuilding |
| **Lime (European Basswood)** | 530 | 33.1 | 700 | Carving, piano keys |
| **Pear** (*Pyrus communis*) | 690 | 43.1 | 1,660 | High-end drafting tools, recorders |
| **Plum** (*Prunus domestica*) | 790 | 49.3 | 1,890 | Turnery, small tool handles |
| **Redwood** (*Sequoia sempervirens*) | 415 | 25.9 | 450 | Outdoor decking, hot tubs |
| **Spruce, Sitka** (*Picea sitchensis*) | 425 | 26.5 | 510 | Piano soundboards, aircraft spars |
| **Sycamore, American** (*Platanus occidentalis*) | 545 | 34.0 | 770 | Drawer sides, butcher blocks |
| **Tupelo, Water** (*Nyssa aquatica*) | 560 | 34.9 | 880 | Carving, heavy-duty crates |
| **Willow, Black** (*Salix nigra*) | 415 | 25.9 | 430 | Millwork, box cores |
| **Yew, European** (*Taxus baccata*) | 675 | 42.1 | 1,520 | Archery bows, rustic furniture |
| **Pine, Southern Yellow** (*Pinus palustris*) | 670 | 41.8 | 870 | Construction framing, plywood cores |
| **Osage Orange** (*Maclura pomifera*) | 855 | 53.4 | 2,760 | Archery bows, fence posts, heavy turnery |
How Density Governs Wood Machining
Tool Dulling and Friction
High-density woods (above 750 kg/m³, such as White Oak, Hickory, and Jatoba) contain a high concentration of mineral deposits and dense cellulose structures. When cut, they generate significant heat and friction, which rapidly dulls standard high-speed steel (HSS) blades and router bits. Carbide-tipped tools are mandatory when machining these species to avoid burning the wood fibers.
Screw-Holding Power
The screw-holding power of a wood species is directly proportional to its density. Low-density woods (such as White Pine or Poplar) have large wood cells that easily compress, meaning screws can easily strip out of their threads. In contrast, high-density woods (like Maple or Oak) hold screws with high mechanical strength. However, pilot holes are mandatory in high-density wood; if you try to drive a screw without a pilot hole, the density of the wood will generate enough torque to snap the steel screw head right off.
Bottom Line
Density is the core metric to study before cutting any board. By selecting a species with the right density and Janka rating for your project, you ensure your furniture has the structural strength it needs while protecting your cutting tools and keeping panel weights manageable.
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