hardwood · Quercus rubra

Red Oak wood properties

Also known as: northern red oak.

Type hardwood
Botanical name Quercus rubra
Modulus of elasticity (MOE) 1,761,000 psi
Specific gravity 0.70
Density (approx) 44 lb/ft³ (3.6 lb per board foot)
Janka hardness 1,220 lbf
Shrinkage (tangential / radial) 8.6% / 4%
Movement coefficient (CT / CR) 0.00369 / 0.00158

A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Red Oak weighs about 14.6 lb (roughly 44 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,220 lbf is harder than about 57% of the woods in our database.

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Similar woods

Woods with comparable hardness and density to Red Oak:

How these numbers were sourced

MOE, shrinkage, Janka, and SG from The Wood Database (which cites the USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR from USDA FPL Wood Handbook Table 13-5 (Red Oak, commercial). Price indicative only.

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.