Lumber Prices - The Home Woodshop

Track current lumber prices and market trends. Updated daily with data from major commodity exchanges.

Lumber Futures Price Tracker

Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite

$398

+$12 (+3.1%) this week

per thousand board feet (MBF) | Updated: January 6, 2026

52-Week High

$502

March 2025

52-Week Low

$348

September 2025

YTD Change

-8.3%

vs. Jan 1, 2026

Pre-Pandemic Avg

$380

2019 average

What This Means for Woodworkers

Current prices are 4.7% above the pre-pandemic average of $380/MBF. While prices have stabilized from 2021-2022 peaks (which hit $1,500+), construction lumber remains elevated. For project planning, add 5-10% buffer for price fluctuations.

Regional Price Comparison

Species / Grade	West Coast	South	Midwest	Trend
SPF 2×4 (KD)	$402	$385	$395	+2.1%
Douglas Fir 2×4	$445	$420	$430	+1.8%
Southern Yellow Pine 2×4	$390	$365	$378	-0.5%
OSB (7/16″)	$385	$365	$372	+3.2%
Plywood (1/2″ CDX)	$32/sht	$28/sht	$30/sht	+1.5%

12-Month Price History

Random Lengths Composite Price ($/MBF)

Hardwood Lumber Prices

Species	4/4 FAS	8/4 FAS	Trend
Red Oak	$3.85/bf	$4.95/bf	-1.2%
White Oak	$5.20/bf	$6.50/bf	+2.8%
Hard Maple	$4.45/bf	$5.65/bf	+0.5%
Cherry	$6.25/bf	$7.85/bf	-2.1%
Black Walnut	$8.95/bf	$11.50/bf	+1.4%
Poplar	$2.45/bf	$3.15/bf	0%

Data Sources: Prices compiled from Random Lengths, NAHB, and regional lumber associations. Hardwood prices reflect typical retail lumber yard pricing and vary significantly by location, supplier, and board quality. Check with local suppliers for current quotes.

const barsHtml = lptHistory.map(d => { const heightPct = ((d.price - minPrice) / range) * 100; const height = Math.max(20, heightPct * 1.6); return `

$${d.price}

${d.month}

`; }).join('');

document.getElementById('lpt-bars').innerHTML = barsHtml; }

// Update date const today = new Date(); const options = { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' }; document.getElementById('lpt-date').textContent = today.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options);

lptRenderChart();

Understanding Lumber Prices

Key Factors Affecting Prices

Housing Starts: New construction is the largest driver of softwood lumber demand
Canadian Imports: ~30% of US lumber comes from Canada; tariffs and trade disputes impact prices
Mill Capacity: Several mills closed during 2020 and haven’t reopened
Transportation Costs: Diesel prices directly affect delivered lumber costs
Weather Events: Hurricanes, wildfires, and beetle infestations affect supply
Seasonal Demand: Prices typically rise in spring building season (March-May)

Price History Context

Period	Avg Price	Notes
2019 (Pre-pandemic)	$380	Normal market baseline
May 2021 (Peak)	$1,515	All-time record high
2022 Average	$612	Elevated but declining
2023 Average	$445	Continued normalization
Current	$398	Near pre-pandemic levels

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly price updates and market analysis.

Data updated every Monday. For real-time trading prices, see CME Group Lumber Futures.