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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wood-dry-lumber-19-percent

Under the American Softwood Lumber Standard, softwood is "dry" at what maximum moisture content?

At 19% moisture content or less.

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  1. 19% or less ✔
  2. 30% or less
  3. 8% or less

Why: Softwood lumber under 5 inches thick that is dried to 19% moisture content or less is called dry. Lumber above 19% counts as green.

Huh, didn't know that: Kiln-dried lumber is lumber seasoned in a heated chamber to a set moisture content.

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What did the kiln say to the damp board? Let me warm you up to the idea.
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References

Answer: 19% or less. Softwood lumber under 5 inches thick that is dried to 19% moisture content or less is called dry. Lumber above 19% counts as green.

  1. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, FPL-GTR-282 (USDA Forest Products Laboratory, 2021) research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/62200
    Softwood lumber less than 114 mm (nominal 5 in.) in thickness dried to 19% moisture content or less is defined as dry
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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Trades & ShopAt about what moisture content does a drying board begin to shrink?Trades & ShopWhich direction does wood shrink the most as it dries?Trades & ShopAs wood loses moisture, how much does a board shrink along its length?

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