All species / Sweet Birch

Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)

Furniture, cabinetry, flooring and turned goods; hard and heavy with a fine texture.

The data

Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)2,170,000 psi

Specific gravity (12% MC)0.65

Janka hardness1,470 lbf

Average dried weight46.0 lb/ft³

Shrinkage, radial (green → dry)6.5%

Shrinkage, tangential9.0%

Shrinkage, volumetric15.6%

Movement classLively — plan real allowances

Stiffness & hardness: USDA Wood Handbook (Table 5-3 class data). Shrinkage: USDA Wood Handbook. Full sourcing notes are in our data documentation on the guides page — values print with their source so you can check us.

Shelf span guide — Sweet Birch

Longest span that stays at or under the 0.02 in/ft long-term standard, floating ends, load spread evenly:

Shelf	15 lb/ft	25 lb/ft	35 lb/ft
3/4 in thick, 11 in deep	38 in	32 in	29 in
1 in thick, 11 in deep	51 in	43 in	38 in

Quick sag check — Sweet Birch

Span (in)

Depth (in)

Thickness (in)

Total load (lb)

Full options — edging strips, fixed ends, centered loads — in the Shelf Sag Calculator.

Quick movement check — Sweet Birch

Width across grain (in)

Cut

From MC (%)

To MC (%)

Full options in the Wood Movement Calculator.