Whether you are clearing trees for a garden expansion, bucking firewood for the winter, or milling lumber for a homestead project, knowing the weight of a log is a matter of safety. Freshly cut “green” wood is often 50% heavier than seasoned wood due to water content. Attempting to lift a log without knowing its weight is a leading cause of back injuries and equipment failure.
Use our Log Weight Calculator to determine the estimated weight of a log based on its species, diameter, and length. Our tool helps you decide if a log is safe for a “team lift” or if you need to bring in the tractor.
Log Weight Calculator
How to Use the Log Weight Calculator
- Log Length: The total length of the log section in feet.
- Avg Diameter: Measure the diameter at both ends and enter the average in inches.
- Wood Species & Condition: Select the type of wood and whether it is “Green” (freshly cut) or “Seasoned” (air-dried for 6+ months).
Why We Built This: The “Secret Sauce” of Lifting Safety
The “Secret Sauce” of our tool is the Safety Threshold Logic. Most calculators just give you a number. Ours compares that number to real-world limits: the 50lb OSHA-recommended safe lifting limit for one person, the typical 250lb limit for manual “team lifts,” and the 2,000lb capacity of many sub-compact tractors.
This allows you to plan your work safely before you even step into the woods.
Educational Guide: Factors Affecting Wood Weight
Two logs of the exact same size can have wildly different weights based on the species and the time of year they were harvested.
Green Wood vs. Seasoned Wood
A “Green” log is one that has been recently felled and still contains its sap and moisture. In species like White Oak, moisture can account for nearly half the log’s weight. As wood “seasons” (dries), the water evaporates, making the wood lighter, harder, and much better for burning as firewood.
Species Density
Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³). Hardwoods like Oak and Hickory have a high density, meaning they have more wood fiber packed into the same space. Softwoods like Pine and Cedar are less dense, making them lighter to handle but also providing fewer BTUs when burned as fuel.
Pro Tip: When using a small tractor or skid steer, always check your “Load Center.” A log that weighs 1,500 lbs might be within your tractor’s 2,000 lb lift capacity at the pins, but if the log is hanging 2 feet out from the loader, the leverage might tip your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does an 8-foot Oak log weigh?
A: A green Oak log that is 12 inches in diameter and 8 feet long weighs approximately 396 lbs. Once seasoned, that same log drops to about 283 lbs.
Q: Why is my log heavier than the calculator says?
A: If the log has been sitting in a swamp or has been soaked by heavy rain, it may have absorbed extra “surface water.” Also, logs with very thick bark (like old-growth Pine) will weigh slightly more than the wood-only calculation.
Q: What is the safest way to move heavy logs?
A: For logs over 250 lbs, use a Log Arch or a Cant Hook. These tools provide mechanical advantage, allowing you to roll or skid logs that would be impossible to lift manually.
