All species / Red Oak (Northern)

Red Oak (Northern) (Quercus rubra)

Furniture, cabinets, flooring and millwork; the most common US furniture oak.

The data

Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)1,820,000 psi

Specific gravity (12% MC)0.63

Janka hardness1,290 lbf

Average dried weight43.8 lb/ft³

Shrinkage, radial (green → dry)4.0%

Shrinkage, tangential8.6%

Shrinkage, volumetric13.7%

Movement classAverage movement

Stiffness & hardness: USDA Wood Handbook (Table 5-3 class data). Shrinkage: USDA Wood Handbook. Full sourcing notes are in our data documentation on the guides page — values print with their source so you can check us.

Shelf span guide — Red Oak (Northern)

Longest span that stays at or under the 0.02 in/ft long-term standard, floating ends, load spread evenly:

Shelf	15 lb/ft	25 lb/ft	35 lb/ft
3/4 in thick, 11 in deep	36 in	30 in	27 in
1 in thick, 11 in deep	48 in	40 in	36 in

Quick sag check — Red Oak (Northern)

Span (in)

Depth (in)

Thickness (in)

Total load (lb)

Full options — edging strips, fixed ends, centered loads — in the Shelf Sag Calculator.

Quick movement check — Red Oak (Northern)

Width across grain (in)

Cut

From MC (%)

To MC (%)

Full options in the Wood Movement Calculator.