Cherry wood typically costs about $4 to $10 per board foot in the U.S., depending on the grade, thickness, quality, color, width, and supplier. Standard 4/4 cherry lumber commonly sells for around $6 to $9 per board foot, while premium, wide, figured, or surfaced cherry can cost more.
Cherry is a popular domestic hardwood because of its attractive reddish-brown color, smooth grain, workability, and ability to develop a deeper color as it ages.
Cherry Wood Price Per Board Foot
The price of cherry wood varies significantly depending on the quality and quantity you purchase.
| Cherry Wood Type | Approximate Price Per Board Foot |
|---|---|
| Lower-grade cherry lumber | $4–$6 |
| Standard cherry lumber | $6–$9 |
| Select or premium cherry | $8–$10+ |
| Wide or premium boards | $10+ |
| Figured or specialty cherry | $10–$20+ |
These are typical retail ranges rather than fixed prices. Current supplier listings show 4/4 cherry around $4.95–$8.99 per board foot depending on grade, quantity, and whether the lumber is rough or surfaced.
How Much Does 4/4 Cherry Wood Cost?
4/4 cherry is one of the most common thicknesses sold for furniture and woodworking projects.
Current prices can range from about $5 to $9 per board foot for retail-quality lumber. For example, Bell Forest Products lists 4/4 Select & Better cherry at prices starting around $4.95 per board foot depending on purchase quantity, while Woodworkers Source lists 4/4 cherry at $8.99 per board foot.
Bulk purchases can be considerably cheaper. Wood Vendors lists 4/4 cherry at prices ranging from about $6.45 per board foot for smaller wholesale quantities down to under $4 per board foot for larger orders.
Cherry Wood Price by Thickness
Thicker cherry lumber generally costs more per board foot, although the exact price depends on the grade and supplier.
| Thickness | Approximate Price Per Board Foot |
|---|---|
| 4/4 | $5–$9 |
| 5/4 | $6–$9 |
| 6/4 | $6–$10 |
| 8/4 | $6–$10+ |
| 12/4 | $8–$12+ |
For example, current listings from Woodworkers Source show 4/4 cherry at $8.99/BF, 6/4 at $9.49/BF, and 8/4 at $9.99/BF.
How Much Does a Board of Cherry Wood Cost?
The price of an individual cherry board depends on its dimensions.
A board that contains 2 board feet at $8 per board foot would cost approximately:
2 × $8 = $16
A larger board containing 5 board feet at the same price would cost:
5 × $8 = $40
How to Calculate Board Feet
Use this formula:
Board feet = Thickness (inches) × Width (inches) × Length (feet) ÷ 12
For example, a cherry board that is 1 inch thick, 8 inches wide, and 8 feet long contains:
1 × 8 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet
At $8 per board foot:
5.33 × $8 = $42.64
So, that board would cost approximately $43 before taxes or shipping.
What Makes Cherry Wood More Expensive?
Several factors can affect the price of cherry lumber.
1. Grade
Higher-grade cherry has fewer defects and provides more usable clear material. Select and FAS-grade lumber generally costs more than lower grades.
2. Thickness
Thicker boards such as 8/4 and 12/4 can have higher prices because they require more suitable logs and are less commonly available.
3. Color
Cherry’s heartwood has the reddish color many buyers want. Some suppliers specifically sell lumber based on the percentage of red heartwood, which can increase the price.
4. Width
Wide cherry boards are often more expensive than standard-width boards because large, clear pieces are harder to obtain.
5. Surfacing
Rough-sawn cherry is generally less expensive than lumber that has already been surfaced.
S2S and S4S lumber costs more because additional milling and preparation are included in the price.
6. Quantity
Buying larger quantities can significantly reduce the price per board foot. Current supplier listings show substantial discounts for purchases of hundreds of board feet.
7. Figure and Character
Curly, figured, highly figured, or unusually wide cherry can cost considerably more than ordinary straight-grain lumber.
Cherry Wood vs. Other Hardwood Prices
Cherry is generally considered a moderately expensive domestic hardwood.
| Wood Species | Approximate Price Per Board Foot |
|---|---|
| Poplar | $3–$6 |
| Red Oak | $4–$8 |
| Cherry | $4–$10 |
| Hard Maple | $5–$10 |
| White Oak | $7–$11 |
| Walnut | $10–$18 |
Actual prices vary by supplier, grade, region, thickness, and quantity. Current 2026 hardwood pricing data places cherry around $6–$9/BF for typical 4/4 FAS material.
Is Cherry Wood Expensive?
Cherry wood is more expensive than common woods such as pine and poplar, but it is generally less expensive than premium walnut and many exotic hardwoods.
For furniture, cabinets, interior millwork, and other high-quality woodworking projects, cherry can offer good value because it combines attractive appearance, good workability, and durability.
Is Cherry Wood Worth the Price?
Yes, cherry wood can be worth the price if you want a high-quality hardwood with a refined appearance and good workability.
Cherry is commonly used for:
- Furniture
- Cabinets
- Flooring
- Doors
- Interior millwork
- Joinery
- Veneer
- Decorative woodworking
- Small woodworking projects
Its color also changes as it ages. Freshly cut cherry can look relatively pale, while exposure to light and oxidation gradually gives it a deeper reddish-brown appearance.
How Much Does a Cherry Wood Slab Cost?
Cherry slabs are priced differently from ordinary dimensional lumber.
A standard cherry board may cost around $5–$10 per board foot, while a wide live-edge or highly figured slab can cost considerably more.
The final price depends on:
- Width
- Length
- Thickness
- Grain pattern
- Figure
- Live edge
- Drying method
- Moisture content
- Defects
- Overall appearance
For a large furniture-grade slab, it is common for the price per board foot to be substantially higher than standard cherry lumber.
Where Can You Buy Cherry Wood?
Cherry lumber is available from hardwood lumber dealers, local sawmills, specialty woodworking suppliers, and some online retailers.
Buying from a local hardwood dealer can allow you to inspect the boards before purchasing. Online suppliers can provide a wider selection, but shipping costs can add significantly to the total price.
For large projects, compare the delivered price per board foot, not just the advertised lumber price.
How Much Cherry Wood Do You Need?
When planning a project, don’t buy exactly the amount of finished wood your project requires.
Rough lumber usually needs to be cut, surfaced, trimmed, and sometimes joined. It is therefore a good idea to purchase additional material for waste and defects.
For example, if your project requires 30 finished board feet, you might purchase approximately 35–38 board feet of rough cherry lumber, depending on the project and quality of the boards.
Final Answer: How Much Is Cherry Wood?
Cherry wood costs about $4–$10 per board foot, with standard retail cherry commonly around $6–$9 per board foot. Premium, wide, figured, or specially surfaced cherry can cost more, while bulk purchases can bring the price down.
The amount you pay depends mainly on the grade, thickness, color, width, quality, quantity, and supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cherry wood cost per board foot?
Cherry wood generally costs around $4–$10 per board foot, with many retail-quality boards selling for approximately $6–$9 per board foot.
Is cherry wood expensive?
Cherry is moderately expensive compared with common woods such as pine and poplar. However, it is generally less expensive than premium walnut and many exotic hardwoods.
How much is a 4/4 cherry board?
A 4/4 cherry board typically costs about $5–$9 per board foot, depending on grade, color, width, quantity, and supplier.
Is cherry wood more expensive than oak?
Cherry can be more expensive than standard red oak, although prices overlap depending on the grade and supplier.
Is cherry wood more expensive than walnut?
Generally, yes. Standard cherry is often less expensive than premium walnut, although specialty cherry boards can also become expensive.
Why is cherry wood so expensive?
Cherry costs more than many common woods because it is a desirable domestic hardwood with an attractive color, fine grain, good workability, and strong demand for furniture and cabinetry.
Is cherry wood good for furniture?
Yes. Cherry is widely used for furniture because it machines well, has a smooth appearance, and develops a richer color with age.