White Fir
Abies concolor
Hardness
Very soft, dents easily; great for carving, poor for floors.
Overview
A pale, odorless, lightweight construction softwood, often bundled as 'white woods' or 'SPF.' Inexpensive and easy to handle, but weak and decay-prone, strictly indoor utility.
Commonly built
- Framing lumber
- Crates
- Utility shelving
Appearance
Nearly white to pale tan, with a fairly plain, straight grain and little contrast. Often somewhat knotty.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Soft, light, and easy to cut; can be a little splintery or fuzzy. Odorless (unlike many firs). Low strength and poor decay resistance. Holds nails adequately. Takes paint better than stain.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn white fir panel moves roughly 0.38 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 White Fir move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is White Fir?
White Fir has a Janka hardness of 480 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is White Fir suitable for outdoor use?
White Fir is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is White Fir to work with?
White Fir has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does White Fir move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn white fir panel moves roughly 0.38 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used white fir, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.