Wood Shrinkage Calculator

Estimate board-width shrinkage from species movement values and moisture content change.

Author

Dr. Ahmed Hassan

Woodworking editorial contributor

Egyptian structural engineer trained at Cairo University and MIT, specializing in earthquake-resistant building design

Reviewed by

Prof. Anna Kowalska

Woodworking content reviewer

Polish biostatistician at the University of Warsaw, advancing Bayesian methods for clinical trial design

Last updatedFebruary 22, 2026

PublishedFebruary 22, 2026

Reference Values

Browse 175 reference values with individual detail pages for quick lookup.

Browse all reference values

Wood Shrinkage Calculator

Estimate board movement across width from species movement data and moisture-content change.

Estimated Width Shrinkage

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Reference Table

Use this complete table for quick lookup and internal linking to specific value pages.

Wood Shrinkage Calculator Reference
Scenario	Estimated Shrinkage	Estimated Final Width (in)	Width Loss (%)
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0401 in shrinkage	3.4599	1.15%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0602 in shrinkage	3.4398	1.72%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0803 in shrinkage	3.4197	2.29%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1003 in shrinkage	3.3997	2.87%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1204 in shrinkage	3.3796	3.44%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1405 in shrinkage	3.3595	4.01%
Red Oak, 3.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1605 in shrinkage	3.3395	4.59%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0631 in shrinkage	5.4369	1.15%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0946 in shrinkage	5.4054	1.72%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1261 in shrinkage	5.3739	2.29%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1577 in shrinkage	5.3423	2.87%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1892 in shrinkage	5.3108	3.44%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2207 in shrinkage	5.2793	4.01%
Red Oak, 5.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2523 in shrinkage	5.2477	4.59%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0831 in shrinkage	7.1669	1.15%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1247 in shrinkage	7.1253	1.72%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1663 in shrinkage	7.0837	2.29%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2078 in shrinkage	7.0422	2.87%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2494 in shrinkage	7.0006	3.44%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.291 in shrinkage	6.959	4.01%
Red Oak, 7.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.3325 in shrinkage	6.9175	4.59%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.1061 in shrinkage	9.1439	1.15%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1591 in shrinkage	9.0909	1.72%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.2121 in shrinkage	9.0379	2.29%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2652 in shrinkage	8.9848	2.87%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.3182 in shrinkage	8.9318	3.44%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.3712 in shrinkage	8.8788	4.01%
Red Oak, 9.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.4243 in shrinkage	8.8257	4.59%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.129 in shrinkage	11.121	1.15%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1935 in shrinkage	11.0565	1.72%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.258 in shrinkage	10.992	2.29%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.3225 in shrinkage	10.9275	2.87%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.387 in shrinkage	10.863	3.44%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.4515 in shrinkage	10.7985	4.01%
Red Oak, 11.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.516 in shrinkage	10.734	4.59%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0462 in shrinkage	3.4538	1.32%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0693 in shrinkage	3.4307	1.98%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0924 in shrinkage	3.4076	2.64%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1155 in shrinkage	3.3845	3.3%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1386 in shrinkage	3.3614	3.96%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1617 in shrinkage	3.3383	4.62%
Hard Maple, 3.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1848 in shrinkage	3.3152	5.28%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0726 in shrinkage	5.4274	1.32%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1089 in shrinkage	5.3911	1.98%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1452 in shrinkage	5.3548	2.64%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1815 in shrinkage	5.3185	3.3%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2178 in shrinkage	5.2822	3.96%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2541 in shrinkage	5.2459	4.62%
Hard Maple, 5.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2904 in shrinkage	5.2096	5.28%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0957 in shrinkage	7.1543	1.32%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1436 in shrinkage	7.1065	1.98%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1914 in shrinkage	7.0586	2.64%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2393 in shrinkage	7.0108	3.3%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2871 in shrinkage	6.9629	3.96%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.335 in shrinkage	6.9151	4.62%
Hard Maple, 7.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.3828 in shrinkage	6.8672	5.28%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.1221 in shrinkage	9.1279	1.32%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1832 in shrinkage	9.0669	1.98%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.2442 in shrinkage	9.0058	2.64%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.3053 in shrinkage	8.9447	3.3%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.3663 in shrinkage	8.8837	3.96%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.4274 in shrinkage	8.8227	4.62%
Hard Maple, 9.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.4884 in shrinkage	8.7616	5.28%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.1485 in shrinkage	11.1015	1.32%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.2228 in shrinkage	11.0273	1.98%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.297 in shrinkage	10.953	2.64%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.3712 in shrinkage	10.8788	3.3%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.4455 in shrinkage	10.8045	3.96%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.5198 in shrinkage	10.7303	4.62%
Hard Maple, 11.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.594 in shrinkage	10.656	5.28%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0355 in shrinkage	3.4645	1.01%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0532 in shrinkage	3.4468	1.52%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0709 in shrinkage	3.4291	2.03%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.0887 in shrinkage	3.4113	2.53%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1064 in shrinkage	3.3936	3.04%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1241 in shrinkage	3.3759	3.55%
Douglas Fir, 3.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1419 in shrinkage	3.3581	4.05%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0557 in shrinkage	5.4443	1.01%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0836 in shrinkage	5.4164	1.52%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1115 in shrinkage	5.3885	2.03%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1393 in shrinkage	5.3607	2.53%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1672 in shrinkage	5.3328	3.04%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1951 in shrinkage	5.3049	3.55%
Douglas Fir, 5.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2229 in shrinkage	5.2771	4.05%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0735 in shrinkage	7.1765	1.01%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1102 in shrinkage	7.1398	1.52%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1469 in shrinkage	7.1031	2.03%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1837 in shrinkage	7.0663	2.53%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2204 in shrinkage	7.0296	3.04%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2571 in shrinkage	6.9929	3.55%
Douglas Fir, 7.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2939 in shrinkage	6.9561	4.05%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0937 in shrinkage	9.1563	1.01%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1406 in shrinkage	9.1094	1.52%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1875 in shrinkage	9.0625	2.03%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2343 in shrinkage	9.0157	2.53%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2812 in shrinkage	8.9688	3.04%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.3281 in shrinkage	8.9219	3.55%
Douglas Fir, 9.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.3749 in shrinkage	8.8751	4.05%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.114 in shrinkage	11.136	1.01%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.171 in shrinkage	11.079	1.52%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.228 in shrinkage	11.022	2.03%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.285 in shrinkage	10.965	2.53%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.342 in shrinkage	10.908	3.04%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.399 in shrinkage	10.851	3.55%
Douglas Fir, 11.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.456 in shrinkage	10.794	4.05%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0345 in shrinkage	3.4655	0.99%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0518 in shrinkage	3.4482	1.48%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0691 in shrinkage	3.4309	1.97%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.0863 in shrinkage	3.4137	2.47%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1036 in shrinkage	3.3964	2.96%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1209 in shrinkage	3.3791	3.45%
Southern Pine, 3.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1381 in shrinkage	3.3619	3.95%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0543 in shrinkage	5.4457	0.99%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0814 in shrinkage	5.4186	1.48%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1085 in shrinkage	5.3915	1.97%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1357 in shrinkage	5.3643	2.47%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.1628 in shrinkage	5.3372	2.96%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1899 in shrinkage	5.3101	3.45%
Southern Pine, 5.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2171 in shrinkage	5.2829	3.95%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0715 in shrinkage	7.1785	0.99%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1073 in shrinkage	7.1427	1.48%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1431 in shrinkage	7.1069	1.97%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1788 in shrinkage	7.0712	2.47%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2146 in shrinkage	7.0354	2.96%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2504 in shrinkage	6.9996	3.45%
Southern Pine, 7.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2861 in shrinkage	6.9639	3.95%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0913 in shrinkage	9.1587	0.99%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1369 in shrinkage	9.1131	1.48%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1825 in shrinkage	9.0675	1.97%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2282 in shrinkage	9.0218	2.47%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.2738 in shrinkage	8.9762	2.96%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.3194 in shrinkage	8.9306	3.45%
Southern Pine, 9.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.3651 in shrinkage	8.8849	3.95%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.111 in shrinkage	11.139	0.99%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1665 in shrinkage	11.0835	1.48%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.222 in shrinkage	11.028	1.97%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.2775 in shrinkage	10.9725	2.47%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.333 in shrinkage	10.917	2.96%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.3885 in shrinkage	10.8615	3.45%
Southern Pine, 11.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.444 in shrinkage	10.806	3.95%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0233 in shrinkage	3.4767	0.67%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.035 in shrinkage	3.465	1%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0467 in shrinkage	3.4533	1.33%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.0583 in shrinkage	3.4417	1.67%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.07 in shrinkage	3.43	2%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.0817 in shrinkage	3.4183	2.33%
Western Red Cedar, 3.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.0933 in shrinkage	3.4067	2.67%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0367 in shrinkage	5.4633	0.67%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 6% MC drop	0.055 in shrinkage	5.445	1%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0733 in shrinkage	5.4267	1.33%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 10% MC drop	0.0917 in shrinkage	5.4083	1.67%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 12% MC drop	0.11 in shrinkage	5.39	2%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1283 in shrinkage	5.3717	2.33%
Western Red Cedar, 5.5 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1467 in shrinkage	5.3533	2.67%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0483 in shrinkage	7.2017	0.67%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0725 in shrinkage	7.1775	1%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.0967 in shrinkage	7.1533	1.33%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1208 in shrinkage	7.1292	1.67%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.145 in shrinkage	7.105	2%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.1692 in shrinkage	7.0808	2.33%
Western Red Cedar, 7.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.1933 in shrinkage	7.0567	2.67%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.0617 in shrinkage	9.1883	0.67%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.0925 in shrinkage	9.1575	1%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.1233 in shrinkage	9.1267	1.33%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1542 in shrinkage	9.0958	1.67%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.185 in shrinkage	9.065	2%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2158 in shrinkage	9.0342	2.33%
Western Red Cedar, 9.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.2467 in shrinkage	9.0033	2.67%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 4% MC drop	0.075 in shrinkage	11.175	0.67%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 6% MC drop	0.1125 in shrinkage	11.1375	1%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 8% MC drop	0.15 in shrinkage	11.1	1.33%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 10% MC drop	0.1875 in shrinkage	11.0625	1.67%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 12% MC drop	0.225 in shrinkage	11.025	2%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 14% MC drop	0.2625 in shrinkage	10.9875	2.33%
Western Red Cedar, 11.25 in width, 16% MC drop	0.3 in shrinkage	10.95	2.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wood Shrinkage Calculator, formulas, and typical use cases.

How is wood shrinkage estimated here?

This tool uses a linear estimate based on tangential shrinkage from fiber saturation to oven dry and scales it by moisture-content change.

Why does species matter in shrinkage?

Different species have different dimensional movement coefficients, so the same moisture change can produce different width changes.

Is this a final engineering value?

Use this as a planning estimate; actual movement varies with grain orientation, cut, local climate, and board-specific variability.

What moisture range should I model?

For interior projects, many builders check seasonal swings such as roughly 6% to 12% moisture content to anticipate fit changes.

Methodology and Review

This page combines a live calculator, precomputed reference values, and FAQ content from the same conversion definition to reduce mismatch between calculator output and lookup tables.

Editorial metadata (author, reviewer, and update date) is rendered on the page and in structured data. See our editorial policy, review process, and corrections policy.

For compliance-sensitive work, verify final values against project requirements, governing standards, and manufacturer documentation.

Wood Shrinkage Calculator

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Reference Values

Wood Shrinkage Calculator

Reference Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology and Review

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