Hardwood Hardness Chart: Janka Ratings for Common Wood Species

Hardwood hardness affects how well a wood floor, countertop, workbench, or furniture surface resists dents and wear. The Janka hardness test offers a standard way to compare many species, but a higher score does not automatically make a wood the best choice for every project. This hardwood hardness chart lists approximate ratings for popular domestic and imported woods, explains what the numbers mean, and shows how to use them when choosing material.

Meta description: Compare hardwood species by Janka hardness, from soft poplar to durable ipe. See common ratings and learn what the test means for flooring and furniture.

How the Janka Hardness Scale Works

The Janka test measures the force needed to press a steel ball with a diameter of 0.444 inches halfway into a piece of wood. In the United States, results are commonly reported in pounds-force (lbf). A higher rating means the tested wood resisted that specific indentation with more force.

Janka hardness is useful for comparing species, particularly when evaluating flooring that may face furniture legs, dropped objects, or foot traffic. It is not a complete measure of durability. The test does not directly measure scratch resistance, bending strength, rot resistance, or how well a finish holds up.

Published ratings are typically based on small, clear wood samples tested under controlled conditions. Results can vary with the specimen’s moisture content, location within the tree, grain direction, and testing method. The figures below are widely reported approximate values, not guarantees for every board. For a particular product, the manufacturer’s technical data is the best reference.

Hardwood Hardness Chart

The following chart ranks selected species by approximate Janka hardness in pounds-force. It includes woods commonly used in U.S. flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and trim. Imported species may have regional or trade names that cover more than one botanical species, so ratings can differ among sources.

Ratings are rounded and intended for general comparison. In particular, “Brazilian walnut” is a common trade name for ipe, not the same wood as North American black walnut. A hardwood’s trade name alone may not identify its exact species or rating.

Hardest Woods in the Chart

Ipe, often sold as Brazilian walnut, is among the hardest widely available commercial woods in this comparison. Cumaru and Brazilian cherry also have high Janka ratings. Their hardness can make them suitable for surfaces that need substantial resistance to dents, but it can also make them more demanding to cut, drill, fasten, or sand.

Dense tropical woods may require sharp, carbide-tipped tools and predrilling for screws. Some can be heavy and may contain compounds that irritate skin or respiratory systems. Before machining unfamiliar wood, consult its safety information, use dust collection, and wear appropriate protection. Outdoor performance also depends on the species, installation, exposure, and maintenance—not hardness alone.

Hardness of Common U.S. Domestic Woods

Hickory and pecan rank near the top among common domestic choices in the chart. They are followed by hard maple, white oak, ash, beech, and red oak. These species are popular for flooring and furniture because they combine useful strength with broad availability, though they differ in grain, color, workability, and price.

Black walnut, black cherry, and mahogany have lower Janka ratings than oak or maple, but they remain widely valued for furniture and cabinetry. Their appearance and machining qualities may matter more than maximum dent resistance for those uses. Poplar, basswood, and aspen are softer options often chosen for painted components, carving, or projects where low weight and easy machining are priorities.

Choosing Hardwood by Janka Rating

For flooring

A harder species can help reduce dents from everyday impacts, but floor performance also depends on finish, plank construction, subfloor preparation, installation, and maintenance. Pets, grit, high heels, and heavy furniture can damage even hard flooring. A suitable protective finish and felt pads on furniture can help limit wear across species.

For a busy household, hickory, hard maple, or oak may offer a practical balance of hardness, availability, and familiar appearance. Ipe and other very hard imported woods may be appropriate for some applications, but their cost, installation requirements, sourcing, and finish compatibility should be considered. A Janka score should be one selection factor, not the only one.

For furniture and cabinets

Furniture does not always need the hardest wood available. Black walnut, cherry, and mahogany are used for fine furniture partly because of their color, grain, and workability. For tabletops or work surfaces that may take impacts, a harder species can be an advantage; for carved details or painted cabinetry, easier machining may be more useful.

For outdoor projects

Janka hardness does not establish whether a wood will resist decay, insects, or weather. Outdoor projects need species-specific information about natural durability, treatment, water exposure, and maintenance. Wood in contact with soil or frequently wet conditions may require a product rated for that use, appropriate treatment, or a different material altogether.

Hardness Is Not the Same as Overall Strength

“Hardwood” is a botanical category, not a promise that a board is hard. Hardwoods come from broad-leaved flowering trees, while softwoods generally come from conifers. Some hardwoods, such as balsa, are very soft; some softwoods can be relatively dense. The Janka scale measures indentation resistance, not the botanical category.

Likewise, hardness is different from stiffness and bending strength. Those properties matter for structural uses, where span, load, grade, moisture, and building-code requirements must be evaluated. A high Janka rating does not make a board suitable as a beam or other structural member without the necessary design information.

Factors That Can Change a Board’s Performance

• Moisture content: Wood can change dimension and mechanical behavior as it gains or loses moisture. Interior and exterior products should be suited to their service conditions.
• Grain and defects: Knots, slope of grain, checks, and other features can affect a board’s performance in ways that a species-level rating cannot describe.
• Finish and maintenance: Coatings can help protect a surface, but they do not change the wood’s underlying Janka hardness.
• Product construction: Engineered flooring and laminated products may have a hardwood wear layer over a different core. Product specifications matter more than the species name alone.
• Installation and use: Subfloor quality, fastening, foot traffic, and the weight or shape of objects all influence wear and damage.

Using the Chart to Compare Woods

For a quick comparison, identify the likely sources of wear, then use the Janka rating to narrow the options. A floor exposed to frequent impacts may benefit from a harder species, while a decorative cabinet may be better served by appearance and ease of finishing. For outdoor use, consult durability and treatment information separately.

When comparing quotes or product samples, confirm the exact species, product construction, finish, and intended use. Ratings from different references may not match exactly because of testing and sample differences. Reliable references include the U.S. Forest Service’s Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material for wood properties and testing context, along with technical documentation from flooring and lumber manufacturers for specific products.

Bottom line: The Janka hardness scale is a helpful way to compare indentation resistance, from soft aspen and basswood to very hard ipe and cumaru. The best hardwood depends on the project’s exposure, appearance, workability, cost, and maintenance needs as well as its hardness rating.