hardwood · Swietenia macrophylla
Honduran Mahogany wood properties
Also known as: genuine mahogany, big-leaf mahogany, brazilian mahogany, american mahogany.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Swietenia macrophylla |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,458,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.59 |
| Density (approx) | 37 lb/ft³ (3.1 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 900 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 4.3% / 2.9% |
| Region | Southern Mexico to Central South America; also plantation-grown |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Honduran Mahogany weighs about 12.3 lb (roughly 37 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 900 lbf is harder than about 44% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, boatbuilding, veneer, carving.
Durability: Moderately to very durable, depending on its density and where it grew.
Workability: Usually a breeze with both hand and power tools; figured or irregular grain may chip or tear.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Honduran Mahogany:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Honduran 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.