Is Persimmon a good woodworking wood?

Persimmon can be a good woodworking choice for furniture, cabinets, shelves when the board quality, moisture, budget, and finish plan match the project.

How heavy is Persimmon?

Persimmon is typically around 35-41 lb/ft3, or about 609 kg/m3, but actual weight changes with moisture and the specific board.

Hardwood reference

Persimmon Wood

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

Calculate Persimmon weight Back to wood library

Density35-41 lb/ft³About 609 kg/m³

WeightMediumPlan lifting, shipping, and joinery

Hardness800 JankaSoft surface feel

PriceLow to mediumLocal supply changes quickly

Persimmon properties and best uses

Persimmon is a hardwood that is commonly evaluated for furniture, cabinets, shelves, interior trim. 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

furniture
cabinets
shelves
interior trim
small project parts

Pros

Easy to cut and shape
Stable feel in finished pieces
Works in many shop workflows

Cons

Actual boards vary by supplier, grade, and moisture
Needs testing before final finish
Surface durability may be lower than harder species

Outdoor and finishing notes

Outdoor fit: Best for indoor or protected projects unless supplier data says otherwise.

Finish behavior: Clear finish is usually reliable; stain and paint should be tested on offcuts.

FAQ

Persimmon wood questions.

Is Persimmon good for woodworking?

Yes, Persimmon can work well for furniture, cabinets, shelves when its weight, hardness, price, and finishing behavior fit the project.

How hard is Persimmon?

The planning value used here is about 800 Janka lbf, which puts it in the soft range for surface dent resistance.

What should I verify before buying Persimmon?

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 hardwood 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.