hardwood · Acacia koa
Koa wood properties
Also known as: hawaiian koa.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Acacia koa |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,503,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.61 |
| Density (approx) | 38 lb/ft³ (3.2 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 1,170 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 6.2% / 5.5% |
| Region | Hawaii |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Koa weighs about 12.7 lb (roughly 38 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,170 lbf is harder than about 54% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, veneer, turning.
Durability: Non-durable to perishable, with termites a persistent threat.
Workability: Mostly easy, though figured interlocked grain gets tricky; finishes, stains and turns well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Koa:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR omitted: koa is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table. 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.