Weight per foot, kiln-dried and treated
| Size | Kiln-dried (lb/ft) | Pressure-treated (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| 2x6 | 2.0 | 3.2 |
| 2x8 | 2.7 | 4.4 |
| 2x10 | 3.3 | 5.5 |
| 2x12 | 4.0 | 6.6 |
These figures come from the Engineering ToolBox weight tables for softwood lumber. They are typical values. Real weight swings with the species, how dry the board is and, for treated lumber, how much preservative and water it holds. Treat them as close estimates, not exact.
Weight by length (kiln-dried)
| Size | 8 ft | 10 ft | 12 ft | 16 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 10.4 lb | 13.0 lb | 15.6 lb | 20.8 lb |
| 2x6 | 16.0 lb | 20.0 lb | 24.0 lb | 32.0 lb |
| 2x8 | 21.6 lb | 27.0 lb | 32.4 lb | 43.2 lb |
| 2x10 | 26.4 lb | 33.0 lb | 39.6 lb | 52.8 lb |
| 2x12 | 32.0 lb | 40.0 lb | 48.0 lb | 64.0 lb |
To weigh a board yourself, multiply the per-foot figure by the length. A kiln-dried 2x10 at 3.3 lb/ft is about 52.8 lb in a 16 ft length. A bunk of them adds up fast, which is worth knowing before you load a trailer or carry them up a ladder.
Green and pressure-treated weigh more
A fresh-sawn (green) 2x4 is about 1.7 lb/ft against 1.3 dry, because it is still full of water. Pressure-treated lumber is heavier again: a treated 2x4 is about 2.1 lb/ft, and a treated 4x4 about 4.8 lb/ft. A treated board straight off the rack can be soaked with treatment solution and weigh even more until it dries out.
A 4x4 and bigger timbers
The Engineering ToolBox lists a green 4x4 at about 3.6 lb/ft and a pressure-treated 4x4 at about 4.8 lb/ft. An 8 ft treated 4x4 is then about 38 lb. Posts and timbers get heavy quickly, so plan for two people on anything 6x6 or longer.
For the sizes behind these weights, see the lumber dimensions chart. For firewood by the cord, see what a cord of wood weighs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 2x4 weigh?
A kiln-dried 2x4 is about 1.3 lb per foot, so a 2x4x8 is roughly 10 lb. A pressure-treated 2x4x8 is about 17 lb.
How much does a 2x4x8 weigh?
About 10 lb kiln-dried, using 1.3 lb per foot. Green or treated, it weighs more.
How much does a 2x6 weigh?
About 2 lb per foot kiln-dried, so a 2x6x8 is about 16 lb.
Why is pressure-treated lumber so heavy?
It holds preservative solution and water. A treated board can weigh well over its dry weight until it dries out.
Does lumber weight change as it dries?
Yes. Green lumber is full of water and can weigh a third more than the same board kiln-dried.
Sources
- Engineering ToolBox: green, kiln-dried and pressure-treated lumber weights
- Southern Pine: American Softwood Lumber Standard (PS 20)