Red Alder
Alnus rubra
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
The Pacific Northwest's go-to affordable hardwood, soft, even, and easy to work. Takes stain well and often mimics cherry. A great beginner wood.
Commonly built
- Cabinets
- Electric guitar bodies
- Furniture
- Trim
Appearance
Light tan to reddish-brown with a fine, even, fairly plain grain. Can be stained convincingly to resemble cherry.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Soft and very easy to work with any tool. Sands and finishes smoothly, stains evenly (unlike many soft hardwoods). Stable. Too soft for high-wear surfaces.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn red alder panel moves roughly 0.40 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Red Alder move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Red Alder?
Red Alder has a Janka hardness of 590 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Red Alder suitable for outdoor use?
Red Alder is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Red Alder to work with?
Red Alder has Excellent workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Red Alder move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn red alder panel moves roughly 0.40 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Takes stain evenly with little blotching and is often stained to mimic cherry or walnut, which is a traditional use. Fine, even grain finishes smoothly under any finish. A cooperative, forgiving wood to finish.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used red alder, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.