How much does a W. Red Cedar 2×4 weigh?
A W. Red Cedar 2×4, 8 ft weighs at 12% moisture content, kiln-dried.
22.8 lb/ft³ · 5.33 bd ft ·
The answer above uses the actual dressed size — a nominal 2×4 of Western Red Cedar measures 1-1/2″ × 3-1/2″ once surfaced dry (PS 20-25) — and the species' basic specific gravity of 0.31 from the USDA Wood Handbook. At 12% moisture content that works out to 22.8 lb/ft³, or 0.8 lb per linear foot.
W. Red Cedar 2×4 weight by length
| Length | 12% MC | 15% MC | 19% MC (KD max) | Green | Board feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | 5.0 lb | 5.1 lb | 5.2 lb | 7.1–15.7 lb | 4.00 bd ft |
| 8 ft | 6.6 lb | 6.8 lb | 6.9 lb | 9.5–20.9 lb | 5.33 bd ft |
| 10 ft | 8.3 lb | 8.5 lb | 8.7 lb | 11.8–26.1 lb | 6.67 bd ft |
| 12 ft | 10.0 lb | 10.2 lb | 10.4 lb | 14.2–31.3 lb | 8.00 bd ft |
| 14 ft | 11.6 lb | 11.8 lb | 12.1 lb | 16.5–36.6 lb | 9.33 bd ft |
| 16 ft | 13.3 lb | 13.5 lb | 13.9 lb | 18.9–41.8 lb | 10.7 bd ft |
| 20 ft | 16.6 lb | 16.9 lb | 17.3 lb | 23.6–52.2 lb | 13.3 bd ft |
Green weights show the heartwood-to-sapwood moisture range (58%–249% MC for this species) — a fresh-cut board lands somewhere inside it. Board feet use nominal dimensions, as lumber is priced; weight uses actual dimensions. Expect ±10-15% piece-to-piece variation in any stack. How these are computed.
Related
- All species in this size: 2×4 weight chart
- All sizes of this wood: Western Red Cedar lumber weight