Wood Shrinkage Calculator

Calculate how much wood will shrink or expand based on moisture content change and species-specific shrinkage rates.

Results

Visualization

How It Works

Wood shrinks and expands primarily across the grain as moisture content changes. Tangential shrinkage (parallel to growth rings) is roughly twice radial shrinkage. Common tangential shrinkage rates: Red Oak 8.6%, Walnut 7.8%, Cherry 7.1%, Maple 9.9%, Pine 6.1%. Wood stops shrinking below the fiber saturation point (~28% MC). Indoor furniture typically equilibrates at 6-10% MC depending on climate.