Lumber prices / Soft Maple
Soft Maple Price per Board Foot
Soft maple (red or silver maple) works and finishes much like hard maple at a lower price and lighter weight. It is a common paint-grade and secondary-wood choice where extreme hardness is not required.
Typical price per board foot$3.50 – $6
TypeHardwood (Domestic)
Density (12% MC)38 lb/ft³
Weight per board foot3.2 lb
Janka hardness950 lbf
Common usesFurniture, millwork, paint-grade cabinetry, boxes
What common boards cost
Board feet times the price per board foot. These use the $3.50 to $6 range above.
| Board | Board feet | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 6 x 8 ft | 4.00 | $14 – $24 |
| 1 x 8 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $19 – $32 |
| 2 x 4 x 8 ft | 5.33 | $19 – $32 |
To price a full order, put $5 (or your dealer's number) into the board foot calculator and add every board to the tally.
Hardwoods with similar hardness
Soft Maple rates 950 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cherry | 950 lbf | $6 – $10 |
| Black Walnut | 1,010 lbf | $8 – $14 |
| Teak | 1,070 lbf | $30 – $60 |
| African Mahogany | 1,070 lbf | $6 – $11 |
| American Elm | 830 lbf | $4 – $8 |
| Genuine Mahogany | 800 lbf | $12 – $20 |
| American Sycamore | 770 lbf | $3 – $6 |
Full range on the lumber prices page, and weight per board foot if shipping or floor load matters.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does soft maple cost per board foot?
- Soft Maple commonly runs about $3.5 to $6 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 soft maple weigh?
- About 3.2 pounds per board foot kiln-dried, based on an average density of 38 lb/ft³ at 12% moisture content. Green stock weighs more.
- Is soft maple a hardwood or a softwood?
- Soft Maple is a hardwood (domestic), with a Janka hardness of 950 lbf.