Yellow Meranti
Scientific name: Richetia faguetiana
Overview
Yellow Meranti is a tropical Southeast Asian hardwood trade group commonly harvested from Malaysia, Indonesia, and surrounding regions. The wood is valued for its warm golden-brown coloration, moderate density, and reliable workability. Compared to White Meranti, Yellow Meranti often displays a richer tone and slightly improved durability while remaining easier to machine than heavier Shorea trade woods such as Balau. It is widely used in furniture, cabinetry, millwork, veneer, and interior construction applications.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Yellow Meranti
- Scientific Name: Richetia faguetiana
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–200 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 38 lbs/ft³ (610 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 750 lbf
- Color: Yellow brown to golden brown
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium and moderately uniform
Identification Characteristics
Yellow Meranti is recognized by its warm golden-brown coloration and balanced texture. The wood may show subtle ribbon stripe figure on quartersawn surfaces caused by mild interlocked grain.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden brown to yellow brown coloration
- Moderately lightweight to medium-weight structure
- Straight to mildly interlocked grain
- Medium texture
- Subtle ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces
Working Properties
Yellow Meranti is generally considered easy to work with using both hand and machine tools. The wood sands, glues, and finishes well, making it popular for architectural and furniture applications.
- Machines easily with standard tools
- Good dimensional stability
- Accepts stains and finishes well
- Moderate resistance to warping
- Can produce mild tearout in figured grain areas
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust collection and respiratory protection during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Yellow Meranti is widely used throughout commercial woodworking and interior construction industries.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior trim
- Doors
- Paneling
- Veneer
- Plywood
- Architectural millwork
Sustainability & Notes
Yellow Meranti represents multiple Shorea species harvested throughout Southeast Asia. Sustainable forestry and responsible sourcing practices are increasingly important as tropical Dipterocarp forests continue facing environmental pressure and habitat loss.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
White Meranti – Generally lighter in both coloration and density.
Red Meranti – Typically darker and somewhat heavier than Yellow Meranti.
Yellow Lauan – Usually lighter in weight and more commonly associated with plywood production.
Related Guides
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time – Explains how tropical hardwoods naturally darken or shift color with age and exposure.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species – Covers finishing approaches for tropical hardwoods with varying textures and densities.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability – Explains how moisture affects wood movement, stability, and long-term performance.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Yellow Meranti is appreciated more as a representative Southeast Asian commercial hardwood than as a rare collector species. Samples with strong ribbon figure or unusually rich coloration are often the most visually desirable.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Small Woodworking Projects (Best of Fine Woodworking) for building boxes, stools, shop accessories, and other practical weekend woodworking projects
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• 80-Piece Threaded Insert Nuts and Furniture Screw Set for creating strong, reusable threaded connections in woodworking, furniture building, and shop projects
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• Power Tool Organizer with Charging Station for organizing cordless drills, batteries, chargers, and other power tools while keeping your workshop neat and efficient
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