Janka Wood Hardness Chart
Photo via Unsplash
Complete reference guide with 50+ wood species. Compare hardness ratings, workability, origins, and common uses to find the perfect wood for your project.
Photo via Unsplash
Complete reference guide with 50+ wood species. Compare hardness ratings, workability, origins, and common uses to find the perfect wood for your project.
| Wood Species | Janka (lbf) | Category | Origin | Workability | Common Uses |
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The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of wood to denting and wear. It measures the force required to embed a 0.444-inch (11.28 mm) steel ball halfway into a wood sample. The result is expressed in pounds-force (lbf) or Newtons.
This standardized test was developed by Austrian researcher Gabriel Janka and has become the industry standard for comparing wood hardness. It provides a reliable way to predict how well a wood species will perform in various applications, from flooring to furniture to tool handles.
Selecting the right wood involves balancing multiple factors beyond just hardness. Consider the following criteria when making your choice:
Most flooring professionals recommend a minimum Janka hardness of 1000 lbf for residential flooring. For high-traffic areas, commercial spaces, or homes with pets and children, look for woods rated 1300+ lbf. Popular flooring choices include:
Industry standard
Excellent durability
Sports floors
Maximum durability
Furniture wood selection depends on the piece's function. Dining tables benefit from harder woods (1200+ lbf), while decorative pieces can use softer, more easily carved species. Consider:
Outdoor wood needs both hardness for durability and natural resistance to moisture, insects, and decay. Exotic hardwoods often excel here:
While harder woods offer greater durability, they present challenges in the workshop. Understanding the relationship between hardness and workability helps you plan projects effectively.
Our workability ratings consider multiple factors:
For residential hardwood flooring, a Janka rating of at least 1000 lbf is recommended. Most flooring professionals consider Red Oak (1290 lbf) the baseline standard. For high-traffic areas, homes with pets, or commercial spaces, look for woods rated 1300 lbf or higher. Hickory (1820 lbf) and Brazilian Cherry (2350 lbf) are excellent choices for maximum durability. Keep in mind that extremely hard woods like Ipe (3680 lbf) may require professional installation due to their difficulty to cut and nail.
Not necessarily. While higher Janka ratings indicate greater hardness and dent resistance, very hard woods come with trade-offs. They're more difficult to work with, dull tools faster, require pre-drilling for fasteners, and can be challenging to finish. For carving projects, softer woods like Basswood (410 lbf) are preferred. For furniture that will be hand-planed, medium-hardness woods are more practical. The best choice depends on your specific application, tools, and skill level.
Janka hardness is typically measured perpendicular to the grain (side hardness), which is relevant for flooring and most furniture applications. End grain hardness is typically 30-50% higher than side hardness. This is why end-grain cutting boards are so durable - the knife edge slips between fibers rather than cutting across them. Grain pattern also affects perceived hardness; quarter-sawn lumber exposes more end grain on the surface and tends to be more stable and wear-resistant than flat-sawn lumber from the same species.
Janka ratings can vary by 10-20% for the same species due to several factors: growth conditions (trees grown in harsher climates tend to be denser), the specific part of the tree tested (heartwood vs. sapwood), moisture content at testing, and natural variation between individual trees. Published ratings are averages from multiple samples. When comparing woods, treat Janka numbers as guidelines rather than absolute values. A 100 lbf difference between species is generally not noticeable in practical use.