Wood Species Guide

African Mahogany

Khaya spp. (mainly K. ivorensis, K. anthotheca, K. grandifoliola)

Also called: Khaya, Khaya Mahogany, Ivory Coast Mahogany, Ghana Mahogany, Nigerian Mahogany, Acajou d'Afrique

African mahogany gives you the warm red-brown mahogany look at a friendlier price. It is light, easy to work and great for furniture and trim, as long as you respect its interlocked grain on the planer.

ImportHardwoodMahoganies

Good forTabletops & Slabs Guitars & Tonewoods CITES-Restricted

About the name “African Mahogany”

African mahogany is a group of several Khaya species rather than one tree, and it is not the same genus as genuine (Swietenia) mahogany. Hardness and color vary a little from species to species.

What African Mahogany looks like

Pale pinkish brown when fresh, darkening to a deep reddish brown with age and light. Pieces can vary from board to board.

Grain and texture

Medium to coarse texture with open pores. Grain is commonly interlocked, which gives quartersawn boards a ribbon stripe and sometimes a shimmering figure.

Working African Mahogany: planing, cutting and gluing

Light and easy on tools, but interlocked grain causes tearout and fuzzy surfaces, especially on quartersawn stock. Use sharp knives, a low cutting angle or a helical head, and plan on a little extra sanding. Glues, screws and stains well.

Finishing African Mahogany: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Takes oil, stain and film finishes nicely. For a smooth glassy film, use a grain filler on the open pores. Under epoxy, a thin seal coat first keeps air in the pores from bubbling up into your pour.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Moderately durable, somewhat susceptible to insects, and generally stable once dry. Good for indoor furniture in Florida; for outdoor use, genuine mahogany or teak is the better pick. Acclimate it before final milling.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Khaya is the budget-friendly cousin of genuine mahogany and a good choice for furniture, trim and cabinetry where you want that classic red-brown look. Watch the grain direction when you plane, and flip a board end for end if it starts to tear. We do not keep it on the rack, but ask us and we can often source it. Note that new CITES paperwork applies to imported lumber since 2023, so availability can shift.

Common uses for African Mahogany

Furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, boatbuilding, veneer and plywood, turned items.

Sustainability and CITES status

Listed in CITES Appendix II since February 2023 (CoP19, annotation #17, African populations). The main species are rated Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating ModerateWhat the ratings mean

Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
Skin irritation
Eye irritation

Reported as a sensitizer, with skin and eye irritation the usual complaints. Serious reactions are uncommon.

In the shop: Dust collection + mask when sanding; gloves if you react
Food contact: Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Reported as a sensitizer; eye and skin irritation are the usual complaints. Standard dust collection and a mask are recommended.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared