Wood Science
8 min
· 2026-07-11Wood Density Database: 50 Species Compared
How wood density impacts structural load capacity, weight, and durability in furniture manufacturing.
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GN
Giang Nguyen
Wood Manufacturing Expert
Why Wood Density Matters
Wood density is defined as the weight of wood per unit volume (measured in kg/m³ or lbs/ft³ at 12% moisture content).
In furniture construction, density dictates:
- Structural Strength: Higher density wood resists bending and warping under load.
- Dent Resistance: Heavy, dense woods hold up better to fingernail marks, dropped items, and heavy monitors.
- Fastener Holding Power: Dense wood fibers grip screws tightly. Soft woods strip out easily.
Here is our reference index of common wood species compared by density:
| Wood Species | Hardwood / Softwood | Average Density (kg/m³) | Durability Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Lignum Vitae** | Hardwood | 1,230 kg/m³ | High (Heavy, sink in water) |
| **Hickory** | Hardwood | 830 kg/m³ | Extremely High |
| **Hard Maple** | Hardwood | 705 kg/m³ | Very High |
| **Red Oak** | Hardwood | 700 kg/m³ | High |
| **European Birch** | Hardwood | 670 kg/m³ | High (Premium Plywood core) |
| **Rubberwood** | Hardwood | 610 kg/m³ | Moderate (Budget hardwood desks) |
| **Douglas Fir** | Softwood | 530 kg/m³ | Moderate (Framing lumber) |
| **Poplar** | Hardwood | 450 kg/m³ | Low (Utility plywood cores) |
| **Eastern White Pine** | Softwood | 400 kg/m³ | Very Low |
| **Balsa Wood** | Hardwood | 150 kg/m³ | Minimal |
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