Volumetric and specific weight of oak at moisture content from 5% to 90%
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
Can the density of oak be used for precise calculations?
The density and weight values for oak in this article are reference values. They are suitable for preliminary estimates, but design, construction, production and other critical calculations should be checked against standards, material datasheets or measurement results.
Why can the actual weight of oak differ from the table?
The actual weight of oak depends on composition, moisture, temperature, porosity, fraction size, material grade and measurement conditions. Because of this, real values may differ from the average table data.
How do you calculate the mass of oak from density?
For an approximate calculation, use the formula: mass = density × volume. If the density of oak is given in kg/m³ and the volume is in m³, the result will be in kilograms.