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Ipe Wood Weight Calculator & Information
How much does Ipe weigh? Calculate the weight of any Ipe board by size and length — per linear foot, per square foot, or per board. Uses our official WPLF reference data.
Ipe Density
~70 lbs/ft³
air-dried (12% MC)
Popular 5/4×6 Board
2.67 lbs/LF
~26.7 lbs for a 10′ board
5/4×6 Per Sq Ft
~5.72 lbs/SF
installed deck surface
Weight Calculator
Weight Estimate
Weight Per Linear Foot
2.01 lbs/LF
Weight Per Square Foot
4.24 lbs/SF
Single Board (10′)
20.1 lbs
Total Estimated Weight
20 lbs
10 total linear feet • Actual: 0.75"×5.5"
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Understanding Ipe Wood Weight
Ipe (pronounced "E-pay") is one of the heaviest and densest hardwoods commercially available. With an air-dry density of approximately 70 lbs per cubic foot, Ipe is roughly 2.5 times heavier than softwood lumber like pine or cedar. This extraordinary density is what gives Ipe its legendary 75+ year lifespan, Class A fire rating, and exceptional resistance to rot, insects, and weathering.
Ipe Weight Per Square Foot — Decking Coverage
When planning a deck, you often need to know how much the decking weighs per square foot of installed surface — not just per board. The weight per square foot depends on the board thickness and width, because wider boards mean fewer gaps per square foot and more wood per area.
Common Ipe Decking Weights Per Square Foot
1x6 Ipe
3/4" thick — economy decking
4.24 lbs/SF
5/4x6 Ipe
1" thick — standard decking
5.63 lbs/SF
1x4 Ipe
3/4" thick — narrow boards
4.17 lbs/SF
2x6 Ipe
1.5" thick — heavy-duty
8.46 lbs/SF
* Assumes standard 3/16" gap between boards for proper ventilation and drainage.
Why Ipe Weight Matters
Shipping & Freight
Ipe ships via LTL freight. Shipping costs depend heavily on weight and distance. A 500 LF order of 5/4×6 weighs ~1,335 lbs of wood alone — plus pallets and packaging. Knowing your weight helps you budget accurately for delivery.
Structural Load
For rooftop decks, balconies, and elevated structures, the dead load of Ipe decking must be factored into engineering calculations. A 300 SF deck of 5/4×6 Ipe adds approximately 1,716 lbs of dead load — before joists and fasteners.
Handling & Installation
A single 16-foot 5/4×6 Ipe board weighs about 43 lbs. Two-person handling is recommended for boards over 12 feet. Plan for equipment (hand trucks, material carts) when moving pallets on site.
Delivery Planning
LTL carriers use liftgate trucks for residential delivery. Confirm your driveway can support the truck weight. Consider having helpers on-site to unload — a typical pallet of Ipe weighs 2,000-3,500 lbs.
How Ipe Compares to Other Woods
| Species | Density (lbs/ft³) | Janka Hardness | vs. Ipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipe | 70 lbs/ft³ | 3,680 lbf | 100% |
| Cumaru | 66 lbs/ft³ | 3,340 lbf | 94% |
| Massaranduba | 66 lbs/ft³ | 3,190 lbf | 94% |
| Red Balau | 57 lbs/ft³ | 2,330 lbf | 81% |
| Tigerwood | 56 lbs/ft³ | 1,850 lbf | 80% |
| Garapa | 53 lbs/ft³ | 1,510 lbf | 76% |
| White Oak | 47 lbs/ft³ | 1,360 lbf | 67% |
| Pressure-Treated Pine | 35 lbs/ft³ | 690 lbf | 50% |
| Western Red Cedar | 23 lbs/ft³ | 350 lbf | 33% |
Density values are approximate air-dry averages. Individual boards may vary based on growth region and moisture content.
Ipe Weight Per Linear Foot — Complete Reference
Official lookup table used for all shipping weight calculations
1× (3/4" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 1x1 | 0.27 |
| 1x2 | 0.55 |
| 1x3 | 0.91 |
| 1x4 | 1.28 |
| 1x6 | 2.01 |
| 1x8 | 2.64 |
| 1x10 | 3.37 |
| 1x12 | 4.10 |
5/4× (1" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 5/4x4 | 1.70 |
| 5/4x6 | 2.67 |
| 5/4x8 | 3.53 |
| 5/4x10 | 4.50 |
| 5/4x12 | 5.47 |
2× (1-1/2" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 2x2 | 1.09 |
| 2x3 | 1.82 |
| 2x4 | 2.55 |
| 2x6 | 4.01 |
| 2x8 | 5.29 |
| 2x10 | 6.74 |
| 2x12 | 8.20 |
3× (2-1/2" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 3x6 | 6.68 |
| 3x8 | 8.81 |
| 3x10 | 11.24 |
| 3x12 | 13.67 |
4× (3-1/2" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 4x4 | 5.95 |
| 4x6 | 9.36 |
| 4x8 | 12.34 |
| 4x10 | 15.74 |
| 4x12 | 19.14 |
6× (5-1/2" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 6x6 | 14.70 |
| 6x8 | 19.39 |
| 6x10 | 24.73 |
| 6x12 | 30.08 |
8× (7-1/2" Thick)
| Nominal Size | lbs/LF |
|---|---|
| 8x8 | 25.55 |
How Ipe Weight Is Calculated
All weights use our official weight-per-linear-foot (WPLF) lookup table, based on actual milled dimensions and Ipe's average air-dry density of 70 lbs/ft³.
Linear Foot Formula:
WPLF = (Actual Thickness × Actual Width × 70) ÷ 144
Example: 1x6 (0.75" × 5.5") → (0.75 × 5.5 × 70) ÷ 144 = 2.01 lbs/LF
Square Foot Formula:
Coverage Width = (Actual Width + 3/16" gap) ÷ 12
Weight/SF = WPLF ÷ Coverage Width
Example: 5/4x6 → 2.67 ÷ (5.5 + 0.1875)/12 = 5.64 lbs/SF
Note: "Nominal" sizes (e.g. 1x6) are larger than actual milled dimensions (0.75" × 5.5"). All weights use actual dimensions. These weights apply to all tropical hardwood species with similar density (~70 lbs/ft³), including Ipe, Cumaru, and Massaranduba. Lighter species like Garapa and Tigerwood will weigh approximately 10-20% less.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ipe weigh per square foot?
Ipe weight per square foot depends on board thickness. For standard 1x6 decking (3/4" thick), Ipe weighs approximately 4.35 lbs per square foot of installed deck surface. For thicker 5/4x6 boards (1" thick), it weighs about 5.72 lbs/SF. These figures account for standard 3/16" spacing between boards.
How much does Ipe wood weigh per linear foot?
Ipe weight per linear foot depends on board size. A standard 1x6 weighs 2.01 lbs/LF, a 5/4x6 weighs 2.67 lbs/LF, and a 2x6 weighs 4.01 lbs/LF. See the full reference table on this page for all sizes from 1x1 to 8x8.
How much does Ipe wood weigh per cubic foot?
Ipe weighs approximately 70 lbs per cubic foot (air-dried at ~12% moisture content). This is one of the highest densities of any commercially available hardwood — roughly 2.5× heavier than pine and 1.5× heavier than white oak.
Why is Ipe so heavy?
Ipe is one of the densest commercially available hardwoods, with a specific gravity above 1.0. This extreme density is what gives Ipe its legendary durability, hardness (3,680 Janka), and natural resistance to rot, insects, and fire. The density comes from tightly packed wood fibers and high concentrations of natural oils and extractives.
Does Ipe weight affect shipping costs?
Yes. Ipe is shipped via LTL freight and shipping costs are based on weight, dimensions, and distance. A typical 500 LF order of 5/4x6 weighs approximately 1,335 lbs before palletizing. Use our weight calculator to estimate your shipment weight, then contact us for a shipping quote.
Does Ipe float or sink in water?
Some Ipe boards will sink because the density exceeds that of water (62.4 lbs/ft³). Whether a specific board floats depends on its moisture content and individual density. Freshly milled Ipe with higher moisture content is more likely to sink.
How do I calculate Ipe weight for my order?
Use the calculator on this page. Select your board size, enter the length and quantity, and the calculator instantly shows total weight. You can also calculate by linear feet or square feet. The calculator uses our official weight-per-linear-foot table — the same data our shipping team uses.
How much does an Ipe deck weigh?
A 300 square foot Ipe deck using 5/4x6 boards weighs approximately 1,716 lbs (just the decking). Add roughly 15-20% for joists, fasteners, and framing. This is important to consider for elevated decks, rooftop installations, and structures where load capacity matters. Always consult a structural engineer for specific load requirements.
Is Ipe heavier than Cumaru or Tigerwood?
Yes, Ipe is generally the heaviest of the popular tropical decking species. Ipe averages 70 lbs/ft³, Cumaru about 66 lbs/ft³, and Tigerwood about 56 lbs/ft³. All are significantly heavier than domestic softwoods like cedar (23 lbs/ft³) or pressure-treated pine (35 lbs/ft³).