Volumetric and specific weight of oak at different moisture levels
Oak lumber is widely used in construction, finishing, furniture production and flooring. To calculate volume, workpiece weight and loads on structures, it is important to determine the specific weight of oak correctly. As with other wood species, this value is not constant: oak has a porous structure, and its weight depends noticeably on moisture content.
For this reason, when buying or calculating oak lumber, the moisture percentage should be clarified. Freshly cut wood contains the most moisture, while dried oak has a significantly lower weight. Moisture content depends on the region, harvesting season, storage conditions, drying method and the specific oak variety.
| Oak moisture content | Specific weight, kg/m³ | Density, g/cm³ |
| Fresh | 990 | 0.99 |
| 100% | 1160 | 1.16 |
| 80% | 1050 | 1.05 |
| 70% | 990 | 0.99 |
| 60% | 930 | 0.93 |
| 50% | 870 | 0.87 |
| 40% | 820 | 0.82 |
| 30% | 760 | 0.76 |
| 25% | 740 | 0.74 |
| 20% | 720 | 0.72 |
| 15% | 700 | 0.70 |
Practical importance of oak specific weight
Oak stock can be described as green, moist, air-dry or dried wood. These terms alone do not provide an exact moisture value, so calculations should use a numerical figure whenever possible. This is especially important in construction and manufacturing, where moisture requirements are set by standards and production technology. Outdoor products are often made with a target moisture content of about 11 - 14%, indoor products about 8 - 10%, and parquet flooring about 6 - 8%.
How to use the oak weight table
It is difficult to determine wood moisture accurately with improvised means. Usually this is done with a moisture meter or in a specialized laboratory. When buying material, it is therefore worth checking the moisture content with the supplier and then using the table to estimate the weight of 1 m³ of oak and the density of the wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of oak weigh?
The weight of 1 m³ of oak depends on moisture content. According to the table, fresh oak weighs about 990 kg/m³, at 20% moisture about 720 kg/m³, and at 15% about 700 kg/m³.
Why does moisture affect oak weight so much?
Oak has a porous structure and holds water in its wood fibers. The higher the moisture content, the greater the mass at the same volume.
How can oak timber weight be determined more accurately?
Measure or confirm the wood moisture content, then use the density table and multiply the material volume by the corresponding weight of 1 m³.