When selecting wood for construction, furniture, or outdoor projects, understanding density is crucial—and cedar often raises the question: Is cedar a dense wood? With its natural resilience and widespread use, cedar stands out among wood types.
Is Cedar a Dense Wood?
Cedar, particularly eastern red cedar, typically exhibits moderate to high density compared to common softwoods, with a Janka hardness rating ranging from 800 to 950 lbf. While not the densest wood available—oak and maple lead in density—cedar’s density contributes to its strength, resistance to decay, and longevity, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use despite not ranking among the heaviest woods.
Key Properties Enhancing Cedar’s Durability
Beyond density, cedar’s natural oils and tight grain structure resist moisture, rot, and insect damage. This combination of moderate density and inherent protective qualities gives cedar its reputation for durability. Unlike many dense hardwoods that require heavy treatment, cedar naturally withstands harsh conditions, reinforcing its value in construction and furniture.
Practical Applications of Cedar’s Strength
Cedar’s reliable density supports diverse uses—from decking and fencing to closets and outdoor furniture. Its dimension stability and resistance to warping make it a preferred choice for projects demanding both strength and aesthetic appeal. While not classified as a super-dense wood, cedar’s balanced performance makes it a cost-effective and resilient option for many applications.
Cedar offers a compelling blend of moderate density, natural durability, and practical versatility. Though not the densest wood available, its strength, resistance, and performance justify its reputation in both construction and design. Consider cedar when durability and weather resistance matter most—its true strength lies in its smart balance of quality and functionality.
Densities of various wood species - apple, ash, cedar, elm and more. Wood Density and Specific Gravity The Following chart will tell you how much weight you can expect from your wood selection. A simple comparison of the lb/ft3 of cedar and any other species will tell you what you can expect in added weight.
In the following chart (chart 1) you will note that cedar weights 23 lbs/ft3. Adding cherry wood will double the weight of any section made from cherry at. Despite its durability, cedar's low density and lightweight nature classify it as a softwood.
This makes it easy to cut, shape, and work with, though it's less dense than hardwoods. The density of wood refers to how heavy it is in reference to a specific size, which is usually measured in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. Eastern red cedar is by far the heaviest out of all three cedar types examined today.
Wood density varies across different species, impacting their weight and suitability for various applications. For example, cedar has a density of approximately 23 lbs/ft³ (370 kg/m³), while cherry wood can double the weight of sections made from it. One of the lightest commercial softwoods, the density of Western Red Cedar at oven-dry conditions is approximately 22 pounds per cubic foot with a relative density (specific gravity) of 0.35.
Comparative oven-dry densities of cedar and some other softwood species are given in Table 1. Cedar's low density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle. Cedar's low density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle.
Dimensional Stability Like all woods, Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic and will absorb or discharge moisture to attain equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. The physical properties are not the determining factor in this system. Cedar's Classification and Physical Properties Cedar is definitively a softwood because all species belong to the coniferous gymnosperm group of trees.
This botanical classification is constant, regardless of the species. This chart shows the wood density in kg/m3 of all popular wood species used in decking, siding and flooring applications. The table below lists typical air-dry (12% MC) densities for common wood species.
Values are shown in lb/ft³ and kg/m³. The calculator also provides g/cm³ and lets you convert between units.