Moisture content of wood chart PDF:
This page delivers one thing: a complete, printable wood moisture content chart covering 22 North American species , with target MC% ranges, pin meter correction factors, application thresholds, and US regional EMC targets. Download the free PDF below, or use the tables directly on screen. The chart applies from 6% MC (hardwood flooring, NWFA 2024) to 19% MC (structural framing, IRC R319). Species correction is built into the chart , a Douglas fir–calibrated meter reading hickory at 9% is actually reading 6%; without the correction column, that number is meaningless.
Last verified against NWFA 2024 Guidelines, USDA Wood Handbook (2021 ed.), and IRC Section R319: March 2026
The 22-Species Wood Moisture Content Chart
Correction factors are expressed relative to the Douglas fir baseline built into most pin-type meters. A positive value means the meter over-reads , subtract the offset from the display. A negative value means the meter under-reads , add it. For the full mechanics of applying species correction to your specific meter, see how to read your moisture meter readings for different species.
| Wood Species | Scientific Name | Group | Green MC% | Air-Dried MC% | Kiln-Dried MC% | NWFA Target | Correction (pin) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash (White) | Fraxinus americana | Hardwood | 50–90% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +1% |
| Beech (American) | Fagus grandifolia | Hardwood | 55–90% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +2% |
| Birch (Yellow) | Betula alleghaniensis | Hardwood | 50–80% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +1% |
| Cedar (Western Red) | Thuja plicata | Softwood | 60–250% | 12–17% | 8–12% | N/A | −2% |
| Cherry (Black) | Prunus serotina | Hardwood | 45–80% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +1% |
| Cypress (Bald) | Taxodium distichum | Softwood | 70–150% | 12–15% | 8–12% | N/A | −1% |
| Douglas Fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii | Softwood | 60–200% | 12–19% | 10–15% | N/A | 0% (baseline) |
| Elm (American) | Ulmus americana | Hardwood | 60–90% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +1% |
| Hemlock (Eastern) | Tsuga canadensis | Softwood | 60–130% | 12–18% | 10–15% | N/A | −1% |
| Hickory | Carya spp. | Hardwood | 60–100% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +3% |
| Larch (Western) | Larix occidentalis | Softwood | 55–110% | 12–19% | 10–15% | N/A | 0% |
| Maple (Hard) | Acer saccharum | Hardwood | 55–80% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +2% |
| Maple (Soft) | Acer rubrum | Hardwood | 55–90% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +1% |
| Oak (Red) | Quercus rubra | Hardwood | 60–80% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +2% |
| Oak (White) | Quercus alba | Hardwood | 65–90% | 12–15% | 6–9% | 6–9% | +2% |
| Pine (Eastern White) | Pinus strobus | Softwood | 60–200% | 12–19% | 10–15% | N/A | −1% |
| Pine (Southern Yellow) | Pinus palustris | Softwood | 70–130% | 12–19% | 10–15% | N/A | 0% |
| Poplar (Yellow) | Liriodendron tulipifera | Hardwood | 60–110% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | 0% |
| Redwood | Sequoia sempervirens | Softwood | 60–200% | 12–17% | 8–12% | N/A | −2% |
| Spruce (Sitka) | Picea sitchensis | Softwood | 55–130% | 12–19% | 10–15% | N/A | −1% |
| Teak | Tectona grandis | Hardwood | 40–60% | 10–14% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +3% |
| Walnut (Black) | Juglans nigra | Hardwood | 60–90% | 12–15% | 6–8% | 6–9% | +1% |
Data sources: USDA Forest Service Wood Handbook (2021), NWFA Installation Guidelines (2024), Forest Products Laboratory Research Note FPL-0243.
MC% Thresholds by Application
The table below is the chart's decision layer , it tells you which target to apply once you have a corrected species reading. The subfloor differential column is the figure most installers miss: NWFA 2024 requires the gap between flooring MC% and subfloor MC% to stay within 4 points. A flooring bundle at 8% over a subfloor at 13% fails that threshold regardless of how each number looks in isolation. For firewood thresholds and seasoning guidance, see our complete firewood moisture content guide. For acclimation and woodworking targets, see wood moisture content for woodworking projects. For what these thresholds mean biologically , including mold and rot risk by MC level , see our complete guide to moisture content of wood.
| Application | Target MC% | Max Subfloor Differential | Standard / Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring (interior) | 6–9% | ≤4% vs. subfloor | NWFA, 2024 |
| Engineered wood flooring | 6–9% | ≤4% vs. subfloor | NWFA, 2024 |
| Structural framing (IRC ceiling) | ≤19% | N/A | IRC Section R319 |
| Interior furniture / cabinetry | 6–8% | N/A | USDA Wood Handbook, 2021 |
| Exterior millwork / decking | 12–15% | N/A | USDA Wood Handbook, 2021 |
| Firewood (ready to burn) | ≤20% | N/A | EPA Burn Wise Program, 2024 |
| Green / freshly milled lumber | 40–200% | N/A | , |
Two cost scenarios that show why the correction column matters as much as the threshold column: a flooring contractor installing white oak at a displayed 9% without applying the chart's +2% correction is actually installing at 11% true MC , enough to produce cupping across a 400 sq ft floor that runs $8,000–$12,000 to replace. A framing crew reading hemlock at 16% on a Douglas fir–baseline meter is at 17% true MC, one bad re-test away from an IRC violation and a $1,500–$3,000 re-inspection cycle. The chart prevents both errors.
EMC Targets by US Region
The correct installation MC for your species isn't a single national number , it depends on the in-service EMC of your project location. Use the regional table alongside the kiln-dried targets in the species chart: the goal at installation is to match your regional practical target, not just clear the NWFA standard.
The seasonal swing column shows how far EMC drifts between summer and winter , The seasonal swing column is the figure most installation guides omit , a Northeast job site swings ±4–5 EMC points between August and January, which means wood installed at 9% in summer may be 4–5 points above the in-service EMC by February. The kiln-dried column in the species chart above and the practical MC target column here should be read together, not independently. (USDA Wood Handbook, 2021)
| US Region | Average Annual RH% | Expected EMC% | Seasonal EMC Swing | Practical MC Target (Interior Wood) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | 70–80% | 13–15% | ±2–3% | 11–14% |
| Southwest (Arid) | 20–40% | 5–7% | ±1–2% | 5–7% |
| Southeast (Humid) | 70–85% | 13–16% | ±3–4% | 11–14% |
| Northeast | 55–70% | 10–13% | ±4–5% | 8–12% |
| Upper Midwest | 55–70% | 9–12% | ±4–5% | 7–11% |
| Mountain West | 30–55% | 6–9% | ±2–3% | 5–8% |
Sources: USDA Wood Handbook EMC tables (2021); EPA Regional RH Averages.
Need a moisture meter with built-in species correction tables for the species above? Browse our wood moisture meter collection or the full moisture meter range.
Free Printable: Wood Moisture Content Chart PDF
The PDF consolidates all three tables above onto a single 8.5×11 page , 22-species chart, application thresholds, and regional EMC targets , formatted for B&W printing so it holds up on a job-site printer or workshop photocopier. Includes sensorahome.com branding, full source attributions, and a QR code linking to the wood moisture meter collection.
File format: PDF, 1 page, 8.5×11, print-optimized. Flooring contractors, framers, and woodworkers: pin it to the wall or fold it into a tool bag.
The chart gives you the target. A firewood moisture meter tells you where you actually are. Pin-type for framing and rough stock , pinless for finished flooring and pre-finished surfaces.
Need more than the numbers? Our complete guide to moisture content of wood covers what these thresholds mean for wood biology , including the ideal vs. normal vs. acceptable MC distinction, mold and rot risk by MC level, and how to control moisture from the mill to installation.
FAQ of wood chart PDF
Why do different wood species need different moisture meter corrections?
The correction factors in the chart above exist because a single Douglas fir calibration baseline cannot produce accurate readings across all wood densities , each species has a different electrical resistance profile, so each needs a different offset to convert the displayed reading into actual MC% (USDA Forest Products Laboratory, FPL-0243). The practical consequence is visible directly in the chart: hickory carries +3%, meaning a displayed 9% is actually 6% MC; Western red cedar carries −2%, meaning a displayed 9% is actually 11%. The correction column is what makes every other column in the chart actionable , without it, you're comparing an uncorrected display reading to a threshold, which produces installation errors in both directions.
Can I use the same moisture content chart for both hardwood and softwood?
Yes , but the correction factors in the chart differ significantly between hardwood and softwood groups, and they must be applied separately for each. Eastern white pine, a softwood, carries −1%: a displayed 14% reflects approximately 15% actual MC. White oak, a hardwood, carries +2%: a displayed 9% reflects approximately 7% actual MC (USDA Forest Products Laboratory, FPL-0243). Applying a softwood correction to a hardwood , or skipping correction entirely , produces errors large enough to result in a failed installation or a code violation. If your species isn't listed, default to hard maple (+2%) for hardwoods and Eastern white pine (−1%) for softwoods as a conservative starting point.
Bookmark this page and download the PDF for your workshop or job site. When you're ready for the instrument, our wood moisture meter collection covers every species group and application.