TimberLedger

Wood shrinkage and stability

Wood shrinks more along the growth rings (tangential) than across them (radial). The closer the ratio is to 1, the less a board tends to cup or distort as it dries. Values are green to oven-dry.

Guide: Radial vs tangential shrinkage, in numbers · Filter woods by shrinkage

Steadiest and least steady

Greenheart has the lowest T/R ratio of the 155 woods (1.09); Eastern white pine the highest (2.90). The same 6-inch board, drawn for each:

Greenheart

6 in. green (dashed)5.42 in. dry · −9.6%
Flatsawn · rings run across the face; width follows tangential shrinkage.
6 in. green (dashed)5.47 in. dry · −8.8%
Quartersawn · rings run through the thickness; width follows radial shrinkage.

Eastern white pine

6 in. green (dashed)5.63 in. dry · −6.1%
Flatsawn · rings run across the face; width follows tangential shrinkage.
6 in. green (dashed)5.87 in. dry · −2.1%
Quartersawn · rings run through the thickness; width follows radial shrinkage.

End view of a 6 × 1½-inch board. Shrinkage is drawn three times larger than life so it can be seen; the figures are the real ones.

Ranked by T/R ratio

Most stable first. Tangential, radial and volumetric shrinkage, green to oven-dry.

#WoodTangentialRadialT/R ratioVolumetric
1Greenheart9.6% T · 8.8% R · 17.1% vol.9.6%8.8%
1.09
17.1%
2Ipe8.0% T · 6.6% R · 13.2% vol.8.0%6.6%
1.21
13.2%
3Southern magnolia6.6% T · 5.4% R · 12.3% vol.6.6%5.4%
1.22
12.3%
4Kempas7.4% T · 6.0% R · 14.5% vol.7.4%6.0%
1.23
14.5%
5Caribbean pine7.8% T · 6.3% R · 12.9% vol.7.8%6.3%
1.24
12.9%
6Macawood3.5% T · 2.7% R · 6.5% vol.3.5%2.7%
1.30
6.5%
7Yellow birch9.5% T · 7.3% R · 16.8% vol.9.5%7.3%
1.30
16.8%
8Azobe11.0% T · 8.4% R · 17.0% vol.11.0%8.4%
1.31
17.0%
9Iroko3.8% T · 2.8% R · 8.8% vol.3.8%2.8%
1.36
8.8%
10Mahogany4.1% T · 3.0% R · 7.8% vol.4.1%3.0%
1.37
7.8%
11Paper birch8.6% T · 6.3% R · 16.2% vol.8.6%6.3%
1.37
16.2%
12Limba6.2% T · 4.5% R · 10.8% vol.6.2%4.5%
1.38
10.8%
13Sweet birch9.0% T · 6.5% R · 15.6% vol.9.0%6.5%
1.38
15.6%
14American basswood9.3% T · 6.6% R · 15.8% vol.9.3%6.6%
1.41
15.8%
15Black walnut7.8% T · 5.5% R · 12.8% vol.7.8%5.5%
1.42
12.8%
16Mora9.8% T · 6.9% R · 18.8% vol.9.8%6.9%
1.42
18.8%
17Jarrah11.0% T · 7.7% R · 18.7% vol.11.0%7.7%
1.43
18.7%
18Mockernut hickory11.0% T · 7.7% R · 17.8% vol.11.0%7.7%
1.43
17.8%
19Bubinga8.4% T · 5.8% R · 14.2% vol.8.4%5.8%
1.45
14.2%
20Avodire6.7% T · 4.6% R · 12.0% vol.6.7%4.6%
1.46
12.0%
21Kaneelhart7.9% T · 5.4% R · 12.5% vol.7.9%5.4%
1.46
12.5%
22Longleaf pine7.5% T · 5.1% R · 12.2% vol.7.5%5.1%
1.47
12.2%
23Bulletwood9.4% T · 6.3% R · 16.9% vol.9.4%6.3%
1.49
16.9%
24Okoume6.1% T · 4.1% R · 11.3% vol.6.1%4.1%
1.49
11.3%
25Port-Orford-cedar6.9% T · 4.6% R · 10.1% vol.6.9%4.6%
1.50
10.1%
26Shagbark hickory10.5% T · 7.0% R · 16.7% vol.10.5%7.0%
1.50
16.7%
27Spanish-cedar6.3% T · 4.2% R · 10.3% vol.6.3%4.2%
1.50
10.3%
28Sucupira7.0% T · 4.6% R · 11.8% vol.7.0%4.6%
1.52
11.8%
29Green ash7.1% T · 4.6% R · 12.5% vol.7.1%4.6%
1.54
12.5%
30Loblolly pine7.4% T · 4.8% R · 12.3% vol.7.4%4.8%
1.54
12.3%
31Black ash7.8% T · 5.0% R · 15.2% vol.7.8%5.0%
1.56
15.2%
32Douglas-fir (Interior West)7.5% T · 4.8% R · 11.8% vol.7.5%4.8%
1.56
11.8%
33Lodgepole pine6.7% T · 4.3% R · 11.1% vol.6.7%4.3%
1.56
11.1%
34Marishballi11.7% T · 7.5% R · 17.2% vol.11.7%7.5%
1.56
17.2%
35Black locust7.2% T · 4.6% R · 10.2% vol.7.2%4.6%
1.57
10.2%
36Honeylocust6.6% T · 4.2% R · 10.8% vol.6.6%4.2%
1.57
10.8%
37Douglas-fir (Coast)7.6% T · 4.8% R · 12.4% vol.7.6%4.8%
1.58
12.4%
38Incense-cedar5.2% T · 3.3% R · 7.7% vol.5.2%3.3%
1.58
7.7%
39Brazilian rosewood4.6% T · 2.9% R · 8.5% vol.4.6%2.9%
1.59
8.5%
40Karri12.4% T · 7.8% R · 20.2% vol.12.4%7.8%
1.59
20.2%
41Ponderosa pine6.2% T · 3.9% R · 9.7% vol.6.2%3.9%
1.59
9.7%
42White ash7.8% T · 4.9% R · 13.3% vol.7.8%4.9%
1.59
13.3%
43Pignut hickory11.5% T · 7.2% R · 17.9% vol.11.5%7.2%
1.60
17.9%
44Piquia8.0% T · 5.0% R · 13.0% vol.8.0%5.0%
1.60
13.0%
45Mountain hemlock7.1% T · 4.4% R · 11.1% vol.7.1%4.4%
1.61
11.1%
46Para-angelim7.1% T · 4.4% R · 10.2% vol.7.1%4.4%
1.61
10.2%
47Sapele7.4% T · 4.6% R · 14.0% vol.7.4%4.6%
1.61
14.0%
48Ocote pine7.5% T · 4.6% R · 12.3% vol.7.5%4.6%
1.63
12.3%
49Benge8.6% T · 5.2% R · 13.8% vol.8.6%5.2%
1.65
13.8%
50Primavera5.1% T · 3.1% R · 9.1% vol.5.1%3.1%
1.65
9.1%
51Black spruce6.8% T · 4.1% R · 11.3% vol.6.8%4.1%
1.66
11.3%
52Red alder7.3% T · 4.4% R · 12.6% vol.7.3%4.4%
1.66
12.6%
53Shellbark hickory12.6% T · 7.6% R · 19.2% vol.12.6%7.6%
1.66
19.2%
54Hura4.5% T · 2.7% R · 7.3% vol.4.5%2.7%
1.67
7.3%
55Shortleaf pine7.7% T · 4.6% R · 12.3% vol.7.7%4.6%
1.67
12.3%
56American sycamore8.4% T · 5.0% R · 14.1% vol.8.4%5.0%
1.68
14.1%
57Peroba rosa6.4% T · 3.8% R · 11.6% vol.6.4%3.8%
1.68
11.6%
58Angelique8.8% T · 5.2% R · 14.0% vol.8.8%5.2%
1.69
14.0%
59Cucumbertree8.8% T · 5.2% R · 13.6% vol.8.8%5.2%
1.69
13.6%
60Redwood (old-growth)4.4% T · 2.6% R · 6.8% vol.4.4%2.6%
1.69
6.8%
61Roble6.1% T · 3.6% R · 9.5% vol.6.1%3.6%
1.69
9.5%
62Rock elm8.1% T · 4.8% R · 14.9% vol.8.1%4.8%
1.69
14.9%
63Manni9.7% T · 5.7% R · 15.6% vol.9.7%5.7%
1.70
15.6%
64Black tupelo8.7% T · 5.1% R · 14.4% vol.8.7%5.1%
1.71
14.4%
65Virginia pine7.2% T · 4.2% R · 11.9% vol.7.2%4.2%
1.71
11.9%
66Peroba de campos6.6% T · 3.8% R · 10.5% vol.6.6%3.8%
1.74
10.5%
67Sande8.0% T · 4.6% R · 13.6% vol.8.0%4.6%
1.74
13.6%
68Sitka spruce7.5% T · 4.3% R · 11.5% vol.7.5%4.3%
1.74
11.5%
69California red fir7.9% T · 4.5% R · 11.4% vol.7.9%4.5%
1.76
11.4%
70Jack pine6.6% T · 3.7% R · 10.3% vol.6.6%3.7%
1.78
10.3%
71Manbarklak10.3% T · 5.8% R · 15.9% vol.10.3%5.8%
1.78
15.9%
72Yellow-poplar8.2% T · 4.6% R · 12.7% vol.8.2%4.6%
1.78
12.7%
73Degame8.6% T · 4.8% R · 13.2% vol.8.6%4.8%
1.79
13.2%
74African mahogany4.5% T · 2.5% R · 8.8% vol.4.5%2.5%
1.80
8.8%
75Obeche5.4% T · 3.0% R · 9.2% vol.5.4%3.0%
1.80
9.2%
76Western white pine7.4% T · 4.1% R · 11.8% vol.7.4%4.1%
1.80
11.8%
77Post oak9.8% T · 5.4% R · 16.2% vol.9.8%5.4%
1.81
16.2%
78Water tupelo7.6% T · 4.2% R · 12.5% vol.7.6%4.2%
1.81
12.5%
79Douglas-fir (Interior North)6.9% T · 3.8% R · 10.7% vol.6.9%3.8%
1.82
10.7%
80Slippery elm8.9% T · 4.9% R · 13.8% vol.8.9%4.9%
1.82
13.8%
81Ilomba8.4% T · 4.6% R · 12.8% vol.8.4%4.6%
1.83
12.8%
82Tropical oak (roble)11.7% T · 6.4% R · 18.5% vol.11.7%6.4%
1.83
18.5%
83Hackberry8.9% T · 4.8% R · 13.8% vol.8.9%4.8%
1.85
13.8%
84Light red meranti8.5% T · 4.6% R · 14.3% vol.8.5%4.6%
1.85
14.3%
85Atlantic white-cedar5.4% T · 2.9% R · 8.8% vol.5.4%2.9%
1.86
8.8%
86Western hemlock7.8% T · 4.2% R · 12.4% vol.7.8%4.2%
1.86
12.4%
87Engelmann spruce7.1% T · 3.8% R · 11.0% vol.7.1%3.8%
1.87
11.0%
88Opepe8.4% T · 4.5% R · 12.6% vol.8.4%4.5%
1.87
12.6%
89Butternut6.4% T · 3.4% R · 10.6% vol.6.4%3.4%
1.88
10.6%
90White oak10.5% T · 5.6% R · 16.3% vol.10.5%5.6%
1.88
16.3%
91Courbaril8.5% T · 4.5% R · 12.7% vol.8.5%4.5%
1.89
12.7%
92Red pine7.2% T · 3.8% R · 11.3% vol.7.2%3.8%
1.89
11.3%
93Sepetir7.0% T · 3.7% R · 10.5% vol.7.0%3.7%
1.89
10.5%
94Goncalo alves7.6% T · 4.0% R · 10.0% vol.7.6%4.0%
1.90
10.0%
95Banak8.8% T · 4.6% R · 13.7% vol.8.8%4.6%
1.91
13.7%
96Purpleheart6.1% T · 3.2% R · 9.9% vol.6.1%3.2%
1.91
9.9%
97Quaking aspen6.7% T · 3.5% R · 11.5% vol.6.7%3.5%
1.91
11.5%
98Bigleaf maple7.1% T · 3.7% R · 11.6% vol.7.1%3.7%
1.92
11.6%
99Black cherry7.1% T · 3.7% R · 11.5% vol.7.1%3.7%
1.92
11.5%
100Sweetgum10.2% T · 5.3% R · 15.8% vol.10.2%5.3%
1.92
15.8%
101Willow oak9.6% T · 5.0% R · 18.9% vol.9.6%5.0%
1.92
18.9%
102Albarco5.4% T · 2.8% R · 9.0% vol.5.4%2.8%
1.93
9.0%
103Noble fir8.3% T · 4.3% R · 12.4% vol.8.3%4.3%
1.93
12.4%
104Sugar pine5.6% T · 2.9% R · 7.9% vol.5.6%2.9%
1.93
7.9%
105Black maple9.3% T · 4.8% R · 14.0% vol.9.3%4.8%
1.94
14.0%
106Ceiba4.1% T · 2.1% R · 10.4% vol.4.1%2.1%
1.95
10.4%
107American chestnut6.7% T · 3.4% R · 11.6% vol.6.7%3.4%
1.97
11.6%
108Oregon ash8.1% T · 4.1% R · 13.2% vol.8.1%4.1%
1.98
13.2%
109Parana-pine7.9% T · 4.0% R · 11.6% vol.7.9%4.0%
1.98
11.6%
110Bur oak8.8% T · 4.4% R · 12.7% vol.8.8%4.4%
2.00
12.7%
111Tamarack7.4% T · 3.7% R · 13.6% vol.7.4%3.7%
2.00
13.6%
112Ramin8.7% T · 4.3% R · 13.4% vol.8.7%4.3%
2.02
13.4%
113Western larch9.1% T · 4.5% R · 14.0% vol.9.1%4.5%
2.02
14.0%
114Chestnut oak10.8% T · 5.3% R · 16.4% vol.10.8%5.3%
2.04
16.4%
115Determa7.6% T · 3.7% R · 10.4% vol.7.6%3.7%
2.05
10.4%
116Red maple8.2% T · 4.0% R · 12.6% vol.8.2%4.0%
2.05
12.6%
117Sugar maple9.9% T · 4.8% R · 14.7% vol.9.9%4.8%
2.06
14.7%
118Dark red meranti7.9% T · 3.8% R · 13.1% vol.7.9%3.8%
2.08
13.1%
119Swamp chestnut oak10.8% T · 5.2% R · 16.4% vol.10.8%5.2%
2.08
16.4%
120Western redcedar5.0% T · 2.4% R · 6.8% vol.5.0%2.4%
2.08
6.8%
121Pacific silver fir9.2% T · 4.4% R · 13.0% vol.9.2%4.4%
2.09
13.0%
122Keruing10.9% T · 5.2% R · 16.1% vol.10.9%5.2%
2.10
16.1%
123White fir7.0% T · 3.3% R · 9.8% vol.7.0%3.3%
2.12
9.8%
124Afrormosia6.4% T · 3.0% R · 10.7% vol.6.4%3.0%
2.13
10.7%
125Angelin9.8% T · 4.6% R · 12.5% vol.9.8%4.6%
2.13
12.5%
126Yellow-cedar6.0% T · 2.8% R · 9.2% vol.6.0%2.8%
2.14
9.2%
127Indian rosewood5.8% T · 2.7% R · 8.5% vol.5.8%2.7%
2.15
8.5%
128Northern red oak8.6% T · 4.0% R · 13.7% vol.8.6%4.0%
2.15
13.7%
129American beech11.9% T · 5.5% R · 17.2% vol.11.9%5.5%
2.16
17.2%
130Pilon11.7% T · 5.4% R · 17.0% vol.11.7%5.4%
2.17
17.0%
131Cativo5.3% T · 2.4% R · 8.9% vol.5.3%2.4%
2.21
8.9%
132Grand fir7.5% T · 3.4% R · 11.0% vol.7.5%3.4%
2.21
11.0%
133Pin oak9.5% T · 4.3% R · 14.5% vol.9.5%4.3%
2.21
14.5%
134Kapur10.2% T · 4.6% R · 14.8% vol.10.2%4.6%
2.22
14.8%
135Northern white-cedar4.9% T · 2.2% R · 7.2% vol.4.9%2.2%
2.23
7.2%
136Redwood (young-growth)4.9% T · 2.2% R · 7.0% vol.4.9%2.2%
2.23
7.0%
137Water oak9.8% T · 4.4% R · 16.1% vol.9.8%4.4%
2.23
16.1%
138Cuangare9.4% T · 4.2% R · 12.0% vol.9.4%4.2%
2.24
12.0%
139Mersawa9.0% T · 4.0% R · 14.6% vol.9.0%4.0%
2.25
14.6%
140American elm9.5% T · 4.2% R · 14.6% vol.9.5%4.2%
2.26
14.6%
141Eastern hemlock6.8% T · 3.0% R · 9.7% vol.6.8%3.0%
2.27
9.7%
142Teak5.8% T · 2.5% R · 7.0% vol.5.8%2.5%
2.32
7.0%
143Yellow meranti8.0% T · 3.4% R · 10.4% vol.8.0%3.4%
2.35
10.4%
144Eastern cottonwood9.2% T · 3.9% R · 13.9% vol.9.2%3.9%
2.36
13.9%
145Balsam fir6.9% T · 2.9% R · 11.2% vol.6.9%2.9%
2.38
11.2%
146Black cottonwood8.6% T · 3.6% R · 12.4% vol.8.6%3.6%
2.39
12.4%
147Overcup oak12.7% T · 5.3% R · 16.0% vol.12.7%5.3%
2.40
16.0%
148Silver maple7.2% T · 3.0% R · 12.0% vol.7.2%3.0%
2.40
12.0%
149Southern red oak11.3% T · 4.7% R · 16.1% vol.11.3%4.7%
2.40
16.1%
150Andiroba7.6% T · 3.1% R · 10.4% vol.7.6%3.1%
2.45
10.4%
151Scarlet oak10.8% T · 4.4% R · 14.7% vol.10.8%4.4%
2.45
14.7%
152Laurel oak9.9% T · 4.0% R · 19.0% vol.9.9%4.0%
2.48
19.0%
153Black oak11.1% T · 4.4% R · 15.1% vol.11.1%4.4%
2.52
15.1%
154Subalpine fir7.4% T · 2.6% R · 9.4% vol.7.4%2.6%
2.85
9.4%
155Eastern white pine6.1% T · 2.1% R · 8.2% vol.6.1%2.1%
2.90
8.2%