---
title: "Douglas fir — density, melting point and properties"
description: "Douglas fir has a density of 530 kg/m³ (470–560). Melting point, strength, conductivity, what it is used for, and whether it floats, rusts or is magnetic."
url: https://atoneplace.net/material/douglas-fir/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Douglas fir

**Density of Douglas fir: 530 kg/m³ (470–560)**

0.53 g/cm³ · 33.1 lb/ft³

The strongest of the common softwoods, with a modulus of elasticity of 13.4 GPa that exceeds many hardwoods — which is why it spans further per unit depth than pine or spruce and dominates engineered beams and structural plywood. It is available in long, straight, knot-free lengths, so it also became the traditional mast timber. It splits readily, so nails near the ends need pre-drilling.

## Properties

- **Density:** 530 kg/m³ (470–560) — 0.53 g/cm³
- **Young's modulus:** 13.4 GPa
- **Floats in water:** Yes
- **Magnetic:** No

## What it is used for

- Beams, joists and glulam
- Plywood face veneers
- Timber frame and post-and-beam building
- Boat masts and spars

## How it compares

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.*

- air: 1.2 kg/m³
- expanded polystyrene foam: 20 kg/m³
- rigid polyurethane foam: 40 kg/m³
- Douglas fir: 530 kg/m³
- Water — the float line: 1,000 kg/m³
- tungsten: 19,250 kg/m³
- gold: 19,300 kg/m³
- platinum: 21,450 kg/m³

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.*

| Material | Density | Relative to water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 kg/m³ | 0.04× |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 kg/m³ | 0.02× |
| air | 1.2 kg/m³ | 0.00× |
| Douglas fir ← | 530 kg/m³ | 0.53× |
| platinum | 21,450 kg/m³ | 21.45× |
| gold | 19,300 kg/m³ | 19.30× |
| tungsten | 19,250 kg/m³ | 19.25× |

## Does it rust?

Douglas fir contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Whether it degrades depends on the material, not on oxidation.

## Is it magnetic?

Douglas fir is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Common questions

### What is the density of Douglas fir?

530 kg/m³ (470–560), or 0.53 g/cm³.

### Does Douglas fir float?

Yes. At 530 kg/m³ it is less dense than water's 1,000.

### Is Douglas fir magnetic?

Douglas fir is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Related pages

- [Does Douglas fir float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/douglas-fir/)
- [Pine](https://atoneplace.net/material/pine/)
- [Plywood](https://atoneplace.net/material/plywood/)
- [MDF](https://atoneplace.net/material/mdf/)
- [White oak](https://atoneplace.net/material/white-oak/)
- [Red oak](https://atoneplace.net/material/red-oak/)
- [Balsa](https://atoneplace.net/material/balsa/)
- [Spruce](https://atoneplace.net/material/spruce/)
- [Western red cedar](https://atoneplace.net/material/cedar/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)