Lumber Weight Calculator
The weight of a timber order — by species and moisture content — for transport limits, lifting and structural dead load.
How much the timber weighs.
How the lumber weight calculator works
Timber weight is volume × density, but density varies enormously: balsa is 160 kg/m³, pine 500, oak 750, ironbark 1,100. Moisture content matters as much — green timber can weigh 50% more than kiln-dried, and the difference is water that will eventually leave.
That is why a pack of freshly milled hardwood can exceed a ute's payload while the same pack dried does not.
Formula: weight = volume × density × moisture factor
Worked examples
| Inputs | Total weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Twenty dry pine 45 × 90 × 2.4 | 97.2 kg | 97 kg |
| The same, green | 145.8 kg | 146 kg — half as much again |
| Ironbark instead | 213.8 kg | 214 kg |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much does timber weigh?
Pine around 500 kg/m³ dry, hardwood 700–800, dense Australian species over 1,000. Density varies more between species than almost any other material property.
How much heavier is green timber?
Around 50% for softwood, and more for freshly felled hardwood. That water leaves over months, and the timber shrinks as it does.
Will it fit in my trailer?
A typical box trailer is rated at 750 kg. Twenty green ironbark 90 × 190s would be well over it.
Does moisture affect strength?
Yes — dry timber is stronger and stiffer, which is why structural grading specifies a moisture content.
Why does the weight matter structurally?
It is dead load. A large timber roof structure weighs several tonnes, and the frame beneath has to carry it before anything else is added.
Where these figures come from
- The Engineering ToolBox — material densities, coverage and unit data — bulk densities, concrete at 2,400 kg/m³, board and sheet sizes
- Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia — concrete basics and yields — bag yields, density 2,400 kg/m³
- Australian Building Codes Board — the National Construction Code
Last checked: September 2026. Coverage rates and material sizes are typical manufacturer figures — check the product you buy.