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What is mahogany wood?

The Wood Guide · The wood register

Tropical hardwood · reference

Mahogany

Rich reddish brown, exceptionally stable and with a lustre that deepens with age. For centuries the wood of fine cabinetmaking.

  • Family Meliaceae
  • 520–650 kg/m³
  • Class 2–3
Swietenia · Khaya
Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Big-leaf mahoganySwietenia macrophylla
Samples: African mahogany, American mahogany and sapele side by side (Khaya ivorensis · Swietenia macrophylla)
Samples: African mahogany, American mahogany and sapele side by sideKhaya ivorensis · Swietenia macrophylla
Freshly sawn mahogany trunk with reddish-brown heartwood (Swietenia macrophylla)
Freshly sawn mahogany trunk with reddish-brown heartwoodSwietenia macrophylla
Summary

Mahogany in brief

The name covers several botanical species from the Meliaceae family — and that distinction determines what you get.

What gave mahogany its reputation is the combination of colour and behaviour: a warm reddish-brown tone that deepens over the years, and exceptional dimensional stability. It barely moves, it doesn’t split easily and it can be worked down to the finest detail. For a cabinet whose drawers still run smoothly after a hundred years, that is exactly what you need.

On the other hand, the classic species — American Swietenia — have become scarce through overexploitation and are strictly regulated. Most mahogany on the market today comes from Africa or from plantations.

Family
Meliaceae
American
Swietenia macrophylla, S. mahagoni
African
Khaya ivorensis, K. anthotheca
Density
520–650 kg/m³
Durability
class 2–3
Strength in
stability and fine working

To be fair: mahogany is an indoor wood. Class 2–3 sounds reasonable, but outdoors it is no match for teak — and the rarity of genuine American mahogany makes origin a real question.

In pictures · what are you buying when it says “mahogany”?1 / 8
What the label says

One name, two trees

“Mahogany” covers several botanical species from the Meliaceae family. American mahogany (Swietenia) comes from Central and South America, African mahogany (Khaya) from West and Central Africa. Both are sold as mahogany, but they differ noticeably.

Click a chapter or use the arrows · colour change and a hundred years of drawer speeded up, for illustration.

Two families under one name

American and African mahogany

Both are sold as 'mahogany', but they come from different trees and differ noticeably.

American

Swietenia

From Central and South America. The classic mahogany of antique furniture.

  • Swietenia macrophylla — big-leaf mahogany
  • Swietenia mahagoni — small-leaf, very rare today
  • 520–600 kg/m³, durability class 2–3
  • Strictly regulated trade
African

Khaya

From West and Central Africa. The most widely traded mahogany today.

  • Khaya ivorensis — Lagos mahogany
  • Khaya anthotheca — white mahogany
  • 530–650 kg/m³, durability class 3
  • More widely available
What to ask

'Mahogany' on a label doesn’t tell you which wood you are buying. Ask for the botanical name and the origin — the differences in durability, price and trade rules are considerable.

Measurable

Technical properties

Property American mahogany African mahogany
Density 520–600 kg/m³ 530–650 kg/m³
Durability class Class 2–3 Class 3
Colour Rich reddish brown, deepens over the years Slightly paler reddish brown
Stability Excellent — barely moves Very good
Workability Excellent, even for fine detail work Good; interlocked grain calls for sharp tools
Uses

What mahogany is used for

Fine cabinetmaking

Cabinets, writing desks and tables where dimensional stability and a deep colour come together — the classic use.

Interior finishing

Panelling, doors and staircases at the upper end of the market.

Veneer

The even figure lends itself perfectly to veneer work.

Musical instruments

Guitar necks and backs: mahogany gives a warm, full tone.

Shipbuilding

Historically widely used for yacht interiors, thanks to its stability.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about mahogany

Can mahogany be used outdoors?

Better not. At class 2–3 it is less durable than teak, and it is too valuable to sacrifice outdoors. Mahogany is an indoor wood par excellence.

What is the difference between American and African mahogany?

American mahogany (Swietenia) is the classic wood of antique furniture: slightly more stable, deeper in colour, and rare and strictly regulated today. African mahogany (Khaya) is more widely available, slightly paler and with somewhat more interlocked grain.

Why is mahogany so expensive?

Because of its slow growth, the limited availability of the classic species and the trade rules that apply to Swietenia. The African alternative is noticeably cheaper.

Does mahogany darken over time?

Yes, and that is exactly its charm. The reddish-brown colour deepens with exposure to light and air — an antique mahogany piece has a tone you cannot imitate with stain.

More in The Wood Guide

Mahogany in perspective

Mahogany is a reference species in our register — wood we don’t use, but do know well.

To The Wood Guide What is hardwood? Compare with oak

Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Khaya ivorensis · Swietenia macrophylla — Ian Alexander, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Swietenia macrophylla — Anish nellickal, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Swietenia macrophylla — Forestowlet, CC0

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