Janka Hardness Chart
The Janka Hardness Test measures the capacity of a wood to withhold pressure. This is done by measuring the amount of force required to insert a 11.28 millimeter (.444 inches) diameter steel ball half its diameter deep into the wood. Doing so creates a circular indention with an area of 100 square millimeters. These particular data are expressed in pounds-force (lbf), and are side hardness data. This means that the testing was done on the surface of a plank, with the force exerted perpendicular to the grain.
| Species |
Rating |
| Brazilian Ebony |
3692 |
| African Pearwood/Moabi |
3680 |
| Brazilian Walnut |
3680 |
| Bolivian Cherry |
3650 |
| Lapacho |
3640 |
| Brazilian Teak |
3540 |
| Tiete Chestnut |
3540 |
| Southern Chestnut |
3540 |
| Tiete Rosewood |
3280 |
| Brazilian Rosewood |
3000 |
| Bloodwood |
2900 |
| Brazilian Cherry |
2820 |
| Patagonian Rosewood |
2800 |
| African Cedar/Bosse |
2600 |
| Mesquite |
2345 |
| Caribbean Rosewood |
2300 |
| Santos Mahogany |
2200 |
| Tigerwood |
2160 |
| Purple Heart |
2090 |
| Jarrah |
2082 |
| Sydney Blue/Gum |
2025 |
| African Rosewood/Bubinga |
1980 |
| Merbau |
1925 |
| Amendoim |
1912 |
| Hickory/Pecan |
1820 |
| Doussie |
1770 |
| Padeuk/African Cherry |
1725 |
| Kempas |
1710 |
| Patens |
1691 |
| Bamboo |
1650 |
| Beech |
1630 |
| Wenge |
1630 |
| Zebrawood |
1575 |
| Timborana |
1570 |
| Cameron |
1543 |
| Brazilian Maple |
1500 |
| African Walnut/Sappelle |
1500 |
| Hard Maple |
1450 |
| Royal Mahogany |
1400 |
| Caribbean Walnut |
1400 |
| Australian Cypress |
1375 |
| White Oak |
1360 |
| Vintage Oak |
1325 |
| White Ash |
1320 |
| American Beech |
1300 |
| Northern Red Oak |
1290 |
| Yellow Birch |
1260 |
| Iroko Kambala |
1260 |
| Caribbean Heartpine |
1240 |
| Movingui |
1230 |
| Honduran Heartpine |
1225 |
| Heart Pine |
1225 |
| Larch |
1200 |
| Teak |
1155 |
| Brazilian Eucalyptus |
1125 |
| Peruvian Walnut |
1080 |
| Black Walnut |
1010 |
| American Cherry |
950 |
| Southern Yellow Pine |
870 |
| South American Lacewood |
840 |
| African Mahogany |
830 |
| Mahogany |
800 |
| Honduran Mahogany |
800 |
This chart can be used as a guide for the hardness of woods. It is helpful in determining how hard it will be to either nail, staple, or saw the particular species of wood. It can also be used to estimate how easily a wood floor will withstand pressure causing dents and wear. The higher the rating, the harder, or more durable, the wood will be. Browse our hardwood flooring products and find the hardwood floor that's right for you.
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