hardwood · Khaya spp.
African Mahogany wood properties
Also known as: khaya, acajou d'afrique.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Khaya spp. |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,410,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.54 |
| Density (approx) | 34 lb/ft³ (2.8 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 850 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 5.7% / 3.4% |
| Region | Tropical Africa |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of African Mahogany weighs about 11.2 lb (roughly 34 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 850 lbf is harder than about 37% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, boatbuilding, turned items, veneer.
Durability: Moderately durable; insect and borer defense ranges from fair to weak.
Workability: Fairly easy, though interlocked grain tears; damp iron fasteners may stain it; finishes, turns and glues cleanly.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to African Mahogany:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). African Mahogany is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.