Lumber prices / American Beech
American Beech Price per Board Foot
Beech is hard, heavy, and almost featureless, which makes it the classic choice for workbenches, plane bodies, and chair parts. It moves a lot with humidity, so it wants a stable shop and a finish on every face.
Typical price per board foot$4 – $7
TypeHardwood (Domestic)
Density (12% MC)45 lb/ft³
Weight per board foot3.8 lb
Janka hardness1,300 lbf
Common usesTool handles, chairs, flooring, workbenches, plane bodies
What common boards cost
Board feet times the price per board foot. These use the $4 to $7 range above.
| Board | Board feet | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 6 x 8 ft | 4.00 | $16 – $28 |
| 1 x 8 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $21 – $37 |
| 2 x 4 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $21 – $37 |
To price a full order, put $6 (or your dealer's number) into the board foot calculator and add every board to the tally.
Hardwoods with similar hardness
American Beech rates 1,300 lbf on the Janka scale. These sit closest to it, so they take similar wear and usually swap in without changing how the piece holds up. Price is often the deciding factor.
| Species | Janka | Per board foot |
|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | 1,290 lbf | $4 – $7 |
| White Ash | 1,320 lbf | $4 – $7 |
| Yellow Birch | 1,260 lbf | $5 – $8 |
| White Oak | 1,360 lbf | $6 – $10 |
| Sapele | 1,410 lbf | $7 – $12 |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 lbf | $5 – $9 |
Full range on the lumber prices page, and weight per board foot if shipping or floor load matters.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does american beech cost per board foot?
- American Beech commonly runs about $4 to $7 per board foot at retail, with wide, thick, or figured boards costing more. This is a planning range, not a quote, so confirm with your dealer.
- How much does american beech weigh?
- About 3.8 pounds per board foot kiln-dried, based on an average density of 45 lb/ft³ at 12% moisture content. Green stock weighs more.
- Is american beech a hardwood or a softwood?
- American Beech is a hardwood (domestic), with a Janka hardness of 1,300 lbf.