Is Cedar a good woodworking wood?

Cedar can be a good woodworking choice for outdoor furniture, closet lining, garden projects when the board quality, moisture, budget, and finish plan match the project.

Cedar is typically around 22-33 lb/ft3, or about 449 kg/m3, but actual weight changes with moisture and the specific board.

Softwood reference

Cedar Wood

Use this Cedar wood profile to compare density, weight, Janka hardness, price tier, applications, pros, cons, outdoor fit, and finish behavior before building a cut list.

Calculate Cedar weight Back to wood library

Density22-33 lb/ft³About 449 kg/m³

WeightLightPlan lifting, shipping, and joinery

Hardness350 JankaSoft surface feel

PriceMediumLocal supply changes quickly

Cedar properties and best uses

Cedar is a softwood that is commonly evaluated for outdoor furniture, closet lining, garden projects, fencing. For early project planning, use the density and Janka values as rough comparison points, then confirm the actual board grade, moisture content, and supplier data before buying.

Applications

outdoor furniture
closet lining
garden projects
fencing
decorative trim

Pros

Naturally weather resistant
Lightweight
Pleasant aroma in many boards

Cons

Soft surface dents easily
Fasteners need care near edges
Can split if over-driven

Outdoor and finishing notes

Outdoor fit: Good outdoor candidate when detailed for drainage and airflow.

Finish behavior: Paint usually works well after sealing knots; stain can blotch, so test conditioner first.

FAQ

Cedar wood questions.

Is Cedar good for woodworking?

Yes, Cedar can work well for outdoor furniture, closet lining, garden projects when its weight, hardness, price, and finishing behavior fit the project.

How hard is Cedar?

The planning value used here is about 350 Janka lbf, which puts it in the soft range for surface dent resistance.

What should I verify before buying Cedar?

Verify moisture content, board flatness, grade, defects, actual dimensions, supplier price, sustainability notes, and whether the stock is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Similar woods

Compare nearby softwood options.

Planning note

Verify actual stock before building.

Wood values vary by species, board, moisture, grade, drying method, supplier, and local market. These pages are for estimating and comparison only, not structural, safety, engineering, or purchasing guarantees.