Enter Log Details
Calculation Results
Complete Log Weight Calculator Guide
Need to calculate log weight for logging, timber sales, firewood, or milling? Our comprehensive log weight calculator helps you accurately estimate weight based on wood species, dimensions, and moisture content. Whether you're dealing with green logs, air-dried timber, or kiln-dried lumber, get precise weight calculations in seconds.
Weight = Volume × Density × (1 + Moisture Content Factor)
Volume = π × (Diameter/2)² × Length
Our calculator supports 20+ wood species, accounts for moisture content from green to kiln-dried, calculates board feet for timber value, and provides complete cost estimates - the most comprehensive free log weight calculator available!
Wood Density by Species (Kiln-Dried at 12% MC)
Understanding wood density is essential for accurate weight calculations:
| Wood Species | Density (lb/ft³) | Density (kg/m³) | Category | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar (Red) | 23 | 369 | Softwood - Light | Decking, fencing, shingles |
| White Pine | 25 | 400 | Softwood - Light | Furniture, trim, paneling |
| Aspen | 26 | 417 | Hardwood - Light | Pulp, pallets, crating |
| Basswood | 26 | 417 | Hardwood - Light | Carving, musical instruments |
| Spruce | 28 | 449 | Softwood - Medium | Construction, pulp, instruments |
| Poplar | 28 | 449 | Hardwood - Light | Cabinets, furniture, pallets |
| Hemlock | 29 | 465 | Softwood - Medium | Framing, sheathing, pulp |
| Cypress | 32 | 513 | Softwood - Medium | Outdoor construction, boats |
| Douglas Fir | 34 | 545 | Softwood - Heavy | Framing, beams, flooring |
| Pine (Southern Yellow) | 35 | 561 | Softwood - Heavy | Framing, flooring, furniture |
| Cherry (Black) | 35 | 561 | Hardwood - Medium | Fine furniture, cabinets |
| Walnut (Black) | 38 | 609 | Hardwood - Medium | Furniture, gunstocks, veneer |
| Ash (White) | 42 | 673 | Hardwood - Medium | Tool handles, baseball bats |
| Birch (Yellow) | 43 | 689 | Hardwood - Heavy | Flooring, furniture, plywood |
| Maple (Sugar) | 44 | 705 | Hardwood - Heavy | Flooring, furniture, butcher blocks |
| Oak (Red) | 44 | 705 | Hardwood - Heavy | Flooring, furniture, cabinets |
| Beech | 45 | 721 | Hardwood - Heavy | Furniture, flooring, tool handles |
| Oak (White) | 47 | 753 | Hardwood - Heavy | Flooring, barrels, boats |
| Hickory | 51 | 817 | Hardwood - Very Heavy | Tool handles, flooring, smoking |
Moisture Content Impact on Weight
Moisture content dramatically affects log weight - often doubling or tripling the weight of green wood compared to kiln-dried:
| Wood Condition | Moisture Content | Weight Multiplier | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green (Freshly Cut) | 40-80% MC | 1.6 - 2.2× | Just felled, very heavy, water seeping |
| Partially Seasoned | 30-40% MC | 1.4 - 1.6× | Drying for 2-4 months |
| Air-Dried (Seasoned) | 15-25% MC | 1.2 - 1.3× | Dried 6-12 months outdoors |
| Kiln-Dried (Standard) | 10-14% MC | 1.1 - 1.15× | Commercial lumber, furniture-ready |
| Kiln-Dried (Furniture) | 6-10% MC | 1.05 - 1.1× | High-end furniture, cabinetry |
| Oven-Dry (Reference) | 0% MC | 1.0× | Laboratory standard, theoretical |
Key Insight: A green oak log can weigh 80-100 lbs/ft³, while kiln-dried oak is only 47 lbs/ft³!
Detailed Calculation Examples
Example 1: Green Oak Log for Milling
Log: Red Oak, 16" diameter × 8 ft long, green (60% MC)
Step 1: Volume = π × (16/24)² × 8 = 11.17 ft³
Step 2: Dry weight = 11.17 × 44 lb/ft³ = 491 lbs
Step 3: Moisture multiplier = 1 + 0.60 = 1.60
Step 4: Green weight = 491 × 1.60 = 786 lbs
Board Feet: (16² × 8) ÷ 16 = 128 BF
Example 2: Seasoned Firewood
Wood: Hickory, 12" diameter × 16" length, air-dried (20% MC)
Step 1: Volume = π × (12/24)² × (16/12) = 1.05 ft³
Step 2: Dry weight = 1.05 × 51 lb/ft³ = 53.6 lbs
Step 3: Moisture multiplier = 1.20
Step 4: Seasoned weight = 53.6 × 1.20 = 64 lbs
Note: One of the heaviest firewoods!
Example 3: Cedar Fence Posts
Posts: Red Cedar, 6" diameter × 8 ft long, 25 posts, 15% MC
Step 1: Volume = π × (6/24)² × 8 = 1.57 ft³
Step 2: Weight per post = 1.57 × 23 × 1.15 = 41.5 lbs
Step 3: Total weight = 41.5 × 25 = 1,038 lbs
Practical: Easily handled, ~520 lbs per truckload of 12-13 posts
Board Feet Calculation
Board feet (BF) measure usable lumber volume - critical for timber value:
Doyle Log Rule (Most Common):
Formula: BF = ((D - 4)² × L) ÷ 16
D = Diameter in inches (small end)
L = Length in feet
Example: 16" × 8 ft log = ((16-4)² × 8) ÷ 16 = 72 BF
International 1/4" Log Rule (More Accurate):
- Accounts for saw kerf (blade thickness)
- More accurate for larger logs
- Used by professional sawmills
- Typically yields 20-30% more BF than Doyle
Scribner Log Rule (Eastern US):
- Diagram-based measurement
- Conservative estimates
- Common in timber sales
Weight by Log Size - Quick Reference
Approximate weights for common log sizes (air-dried oak, 20% MC):
| Diameter | 8 ft Log | 10 ft Log | 12 ft Log | 16 ft Log |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 inches | 66 lbs | 83 lbs | 99 lbs | 132 lbs |
| 8 inches | 118 lbs | 147 lbs | 177 lbs | 235 lbs |
| 10 inches | 184 lbs | 230 lbs | 276 lbs | 368 lbs |
| 12 inches | 265 lbs | 331 lbs | 397 lbs | 530 lbs |
| 16 inches | 471 lbs | 589 lbs | 706 lbs | 942 lbs |
| 20 inches | 736 lbs | 920 lbs | 1,104 lbs | 1,472 lbs |
| 24 inches | 1,060 lbs | 1,325 lbs | 1,590 lbs | 2,120 lbs |
Note: Green logs weigh 40-80% more than values shown above.
Timber Value Estimation
Understanding timber value helps with logging decisions and sales:
Typical Prices per Board Foot (2024):
- Low-Grade Logs (pulp, pallets): $0.50 - $2.00/BF
- Construction Grade: $2.00 - $4.00/BF
- Select Grade Hardwoods: $4.00 - $8.00/BF
- Premium Hardwoods (Walnut, Cherry): $6.00 - $15.00/BF
- Exotic/Specialty Woods: $10.00 - $30.00+/BF
Value Factors:
- Species: Oak, cherry, walnut command premium prices
- Grade: Clear, straight logs worth 2-5× more
- Size: Larger diameter logs yield more value
- Defects: Knots, rot, splits drastically reduce value
- Market: Local demand varies significantly
- Access: Road access affects logging costs
Firewood Calculations
Converting logs to firewood requires different calculations:
Standard Cord of Firewood:
- Volume: 128 cubic feet (4' × 4' × 8')
- Actual wood: ~85 ft³ (rest is air space)
- Weight range: 2,000 - 5,000 lbs depending on species & MC
Firewood Weight by Species (Cord, air-dried 20% MC):
- Hickory: 4,300 - 4,800 lbs (heaviest)
- Oak: 3,800 - 4,200 lbs
- Maple: 3,600 - 4,000 lbs
- Ash: 3,400 - 3,800 lbs
- Birch: 3,300 - 3,700 lbs
- Pine: 2,500 - 3,000 lbs
- Poplar: 2,200 - 2,600 lbs (lightest common)
Logs to Firewood Conversion:
Example: How many 12" × 8 ft oak logs = 1 cord?
Volume per log = π × (0.5)² × 8 = 6.28 ft³
Usable wood per cord = 85 ft³
Logs needed = 85 ÷ 6.28 = ~14 logs
Drying Time Estimates
Moisture content affects weight and usability:
Air-Drying Time (Split Firewood):
- Softwoods (Pine, Spruce): 3-6 months
- Medium Hardwoods (Cherry, Ash): 6-12 months
- Dense Hardwoods (Oak, Hickory): 12-24 months
- Very Dense (Osage Orange): 24-36 months
Drying Rate Factors:
- Wood size: Split wood dries 3-4× faster than rounds
- Bark removal: Speeds drying by 30-50%
- Air circulation: Stacked with space = faster drying
- Weather: Hot, dry, windy = faster drying
- Species: Dense woods take much longer
Kiln-Drying (Commercial Lumber):
- Typical time: 2-8 weeks depending on species & thickness
- Temperature: 120-180°F with humidity control
- Cost: $0.30 - $1.00 per board foot
- Benefit: Precise MC control, kills insects/mold
Handling & Transportation
Log weight affects equipment and safety requirements:
Manual Handling:
- Under 50 lbs: One person can carry (up to 10" diameter)
- 50-100 lbs: Two people or hand truck
- 100-300 lbs: Tractor, ATV with winch, or cant hook
- 300+ lbs: Heavy equipment required
Vehicle Capacity:
- Pickup truck (1/2 ton): ~1,500 lbs safely (3-5 large logs)
- Pickup truck (3/4 ton): ~2,500 lbs (5-8 large logs)
- Pickup truck (1 ton): ~3,500 lbs (8-12 large logs)
- Log trailer (tandem): 10,000 - 14,000 lbs (full load)
- Semi log truck: 40,000 - 80,000 lbs (20-40 tons)
Safety Considerations:
- Secure loads with chains or straps (minimum 2 points)
- Distribute weight evenly in truck bed
- Check tire pressure and axle ratings
- Use proper lifting techniques (bend knees, not back)
- Never stand downhill of unsecured logs
- Use wedges to prevent rolling
Common Measurement Mistakes
Avoid these errors for accurate weight estimation:
- Measuring large end: Always measure small end diameter
- Ignoring moisture: Green vs dry can double the weight
- Wrong species: Hickory weighs 2× more than cedar
- Including bark: Bark adds 10-15% weight (minimal volume)
- Forgetting taper: Logs aren't perfect cylinders
- Unit confusion: Cubic feet vs board feet are different
Log Grading System
Timber value varies dramatically by log grade:
Hardwood Log Grades (Factory Lumber Logs):
- F1 (Prime): 16"+ diameter, straight, clear, 50%+ clear faces
- F2 (Select): 13"+ diameter, mostly clear, 33%+ clear
- F3 (Standard): 11"+ diameter, some defects acceptable
- Below Grade: Pallet, pulp, firewood, chip-n-saw
Value Difference:
- F1 logs can sell for 3-5× more than F3
- One F1 walnut log can be worth $1,000-$3,000
- Same size F3 might be worth $200-$500
Specialty Uses & Pricing
Veneer Logs (Highest Value):
- Must be near-perfect quality
- 18"+ diameter for hardwoods
- Straight, no knots, unique grain patterns
- Can command $10-$50+ per board foot
- Species: Walnut, cherry, figured maple, curly oak
Specialty Markets:
- Woodturning blanks: $5-$50 each depending on size/species
- Live-edge slabs: $10-$50/BF for premium pieces
- Burl wood: $5-$100+ per pound (exceptional grain)
- Spalted wood: Fungal patterns, premium pricing
- Instrument wood: Specific needs, high prices
Environmental Considerations
- Carbon storage: Wood sequesters ~1 ton CO₂ per ton of dry wood
- Sustainable harvesting: Selective cutting maintains forests
- Bark mulch: Valuable byproduct (10-15% of log weight)
- Sawdust/chips: Used for pellets, animal bedding, composite boards
- Efficiency: Modern mills recover 50-65% of log as lumber
Tools for Log Work
Essential equipment for handling logs:
- Cant hook/peavey: Rolling and positioning logs ($40-$100)
- Log tongs: Lifting with equipment ($50-$200)
- Chainsaw: Cutting to length ($200-$800)
- Log arch: Skidding logs with ATV ($300-$1,500)
- Moisture meter: Measuring MC ($30-$300)
- Diameter tape: Quick circumference to diameter ($10-$30)
- Log scales: Professional measurement tools ($500-$2,000)
Need More Construction Tools?
Explore our complete collection of construction calculators for accurate project planning and material estimation.
Browse All Calculators