Lumber prices / Purpleheart
Purpleheart Price per Board Foot
Purpleheart cuts a dull brown and turns vivid purple within days of hitting air, then slowly darkens toward brown again unless it is kept out of sunlight. It is dense, stiff, and hard on edges, and it gums up blades with resin when it heats.
What common boards cost
Board feet times the price per board foot. These use the $12 to $20 range above.
| Board | Board feet | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 6 x 8 ft | 4.00 | $48 – $80 |
| 1 x 8 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $64 – $107 |
| 2 x 4 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $64 – $107 |
To price a full order, put $16 (or your dealer's number) into the board foot calculator and add every board to the tally.
Hardwoods with similar hardness
Purpleheart rates 2,520 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Osage Orange | 2,620 lbf | $8 – $15 |
| Bubinga | 2,410 lbf | $16 – $30 |
| Jatoba | 2,690 lbf | $6 – $11 |
| Bloodwood | 2,900 lbf | $14 – $25 |
| Cocobolo | 2,960 lbf | $40 – $90 |
Full range on the lumber prices page, and weight per board foot if shipping or floor load matters.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does purpleheart cost per board foot?
- Purpleheart commonly runs about $12 to $20 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 purpleheart weigh?
- About 4.7 pounds per board foot kiln-dried, based on an average density of 56 lb/ft³ at 12% moisture content. Green stock weighs more.
- Is purpleheart a hardwood or a softwood?
- Purpleheart is a hardwood (imported), with a Janka hardness of 2,520 lbf.