Log-Weight-by-Species
Estimate log weight for forestry, transport, and sawmill planning. Uses Smalian volume, species density, and moisture content. Green wood is 40–50% heavier than dry.
Why This Construction Metric Matters
Why: Accurate log weight is critical for transport limits, truck loading, and market value. Moisture content dramatically affects weight.
How: Smalian's formula for volume (average of end areas). Multiply by species density. Adjust for moisture. Doyle rule for board feet.
- ●Measure both end diameters for tapered logs.
- ●Green oak ~63 lbs/cu ft; kiln-dried ~44 lbs/cu ft.
- ●1 cord = 128 cu ft stacked ≈ 83 cu ft solid wood.
- ●Add 10–15% for irregular logs and bark.
Log Weight Calculator
Volume • Board feet • Green/Dry weight • Transport • Value estimates
Quick Examples — Click to Load
Single Red Oak Log
16 ft log, 18" average diameter
Yellow Pine Sawlog
12 ft pine log, 14" diameter
Black Walnut Veneer Log
Premium 10 ft walnut log
Firewood Load (10 logs)
Mixed oak logs for firewood
Cord of Hickory
Full cord of hickory firewood
Cedar Fence Post
8 ft cedar post, 6" diameter
Pulpwood Truck Load
40 spruce pulp logs
Custom Log
Enter your own dimensions
Red Oak
Common hardwood, widely used for furniture and flooring
📏 Dimensions
💧 Moisture & Options
Planning estimates only. Verify with a licensed engineer or contractor before construction.
📐 Construction Industry Facts
Smalian's formula: V = L × (A₁ + A₂) / 2 for log volume.
— USDA
Doyle rule: BF = (D − 4)² × L / 16 for sawlog estimation.
— Industry
Green wood can be 40–50% heavier than kiln-dried.
— ASTM D2395
1 cord = 4×4×8 ft stacked = 128 cu ft.
— USDA
📋 Key Takeaways
- • Volume: Smalian's formula V = L × (A₁ + A₂) / 2
- • Board Feet: Doyle rule BF = (D − 4)² × L / 16
- • Weight: Volume × Density; moisture adds 40–50%
- • 1 Cord: 128 cu ft stacked ≈ 83 cu ft solid wood
What is a Log Weight Calculator?
A log weight calculator determines the weight of logs based on their dimensions, wood species, and moisture content. This is essential for forestry operations, lumber sales, transport planning, and firewood management. Different wood species have vastly different densities, and moisture content can nearly double the weight of freshly cut logs compared to dried wood.
Accurate Weight
Calculate by species and moisture
Board Feet
Sawlog volume estimation
Transport
Truck load planning
Value Estimate
Market value by use
How to Calculate Log Weight
Volume Formula
Where A = π × (D/2)²
Smalian's formula uses the average of both end areas
Weight Formula
When to Use
🌲 Forestry
- • Timber sales
- • Harvest planning
- • Log scaling
🚛 Transport
- • Truck loading
- • Weight limits
- • Shipping costs
🔥 Firewood
- • Cord estimates
- • Seasoning weight
- • BTU value
🪵 Sawmill
- • Board feet
- • Sawlog value
- • Pulpwood
Wood Species Density Reference
| Species | Category | Green Density | Dry Density | BTU/Cord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | Hardwood | 63 lbs/cf | 44 lbs/cf | 24.0M |
| White Oak | Hardwood | 67 lbs/cf | 47 lbs/cf | 25.5M |
| Hard Maple | Hardwood | 56 lbs/cf | 44 lbs/cf | 24.0M |
| Soft Maple | Hardwood | 50 lbs/cf | 38 lbs/cf | 20.0M |
| Black Walnut | Hardwood | 58 lbs/cf | 38 lbs/cf | 21.0M |
| Black Cherry | Hardwood | 45 lbs/cf | 35 lbs/cf | 20.0M |
| White Ash | Hardwood | 48 lbs/cf | 41 lbs/cf | 23.5M |
| Hickory | Hardwood | 65 lbs/cf | 50 lbs/cf | 27.0M |
| American Beech | Hardwood | 54 lbs/cf | 45 lbs/cf | 24.0M |
| Yellow Poplar | Hardwood | 38 lbs/cf | 28 lbs/cf | 16.0M |
Moisture Content Impact
Example: 1 cu ft Red Oak at different moisture levels
- • Green (90% MC): 63 lbs
- • Air-Dried (20% MC): 53 lbs
- • Kiln-Dried (8% MC): 47 lbs
- • Oven-Dry (0% MC): 44 lbs
Key Formulas
Important Considerations
⚠️ Avoid
- • Using green weight for transport limits
- • Ignoring bark thickness in diameter
- • Mixing species densities
✓ Best Practices
- • Measure both end diameters for taper
- • Specify moisture content for accuracy
- • Add 10–15% for irregular logs
⚠️ Disclaimer: Weight estimates are for planning. Actual weights vary with moisture, species variation, and log form. Consult a professional scaler for commercial transactions.
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