Enter the wood radius (ft), the wood length (ft), and the mass of the wood (lbs) into the Wood Density Calculator. The calculator will evaluate and display the Wood Density. 

Wood Density Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Wood Density. 

Dwood = m / (pi*wr^2*wl)
  • Where Dwood is the Wood Density (lbs/ft^3)
  • wr is the wood radius (ft) 
  • wl is the wood length (ft) 
  • m is the mass of the wood (lbs) 

How to Calculate Wood Density?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Wood Density.

Example Problem #1

  1. First, determine the wood radius (ft).
    1. The wood radius (ft) is given as 3.
  2. Next, determine the wood length (ft).
    1. The wood length (ft) is calculated as: 20.
  3. Next, determine the mass of the wood (lbs).
    1. The mass of the wood (lbs) is found to be: 1000.
  4. Finally, calculate the Wood Density using the formula above: 

Dwood = m / (pi*wr^2*wl)

Inserting the values from above yields: 

Dwood = 1000 / (pi*3^2*20) = 1.7683 (lbs/ft^3)

FAQ

What factors affect wood density?

Wood density can be influenced by several factors including the species of the wood, the moisture content, the age of the tree, and the part of the tree from which the wood was taken. Environmental conditions such as soil type, climate, and geographical location can also affect the density of wood.

Why is wood density important?

Wood density is a critical parameter in various applications. It affects the strength, durability, and stability of wood products, making it essential for construction and manufacturing purposes. Higher density woods are typically stronger and more durable, making them suitable for furniture, flooring, and structural applications. Additionally, wood density is a key factor in determining the energy content of wood used for fuel.

How does moisture content affect wood density calculations?

Moisture content significantly affects wood density. As wood absorbs moisture, its volume increases without a proportional increase in mass, leading to a decrease in density. Conversely, as wood dries and loses moisture, its density increases. Therefore, for accurate wood density calculations, it’s important to consider the moisture content of the wood at the time of measurement. Standard practice often involves calculating the density of wood at a specific moisture content or on a dry-mass basis to allow for comparisons between different wood samples.