hardwood · Betula papyrifera
Paper Birch wood properties
Also known as: white birch.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Betula papyrifera |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,590,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.61 |
| Density (approx) | 38 lb/ft³ (3.2 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 910 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 8.6% / 6.3% |
| Region | Northern and central North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Paper Birch weighs about 12.7 lb (roughly 38 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 910 lbf is harder than about 46% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: plywood, interior trim, boxes, turned objects, specialty items.
Durability: Perishable, decaying quickly and vulnerable to insect attack.
Workability: Mostly easy, though wild grain may tear; still turns, glues and finishes nicely.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Paper Birch:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Paper birch is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional-change table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability, workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.