hardwood · Juglans cinerea
Butternut wood properties
Also known as: white walnut.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Juglans cinerea |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,180,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.43 |
| Density (approx) | 27 lb/ft³ (2.2 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 490 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 6.4% / 3.4% |
| Region | Eastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Butternut weighs about 8.9 lb (roughly 27 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 490 lbf is harder than about 15% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: furniture, carving, veneer, interior trim, boxes.
Durability: Spans moderately durable to non-durable; vulnerable to boring insects.
Workability: Easy overall, though fuzzy surfaces call for keen blades and fine abrasives; stains, finishes and glues well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Butternut:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Butternut is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR are omitted. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.