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How Janka Hardness Ratings Affect Woodworking: A Beginner’s Guide

Pile of different species of wood boards


When it comes to woodworking, the choice of wood species can greatly affect the final product’s durability, appearance, and cost. One way to measure wood hardness is through the Janka Hardness Test. The Janka Test (Janka Hardness Rating) is a measure of the resistance of a wood species to denting and wear. It’s named after Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher who developed the test in 1906. The test involves measuring the force required to embed a small steel ball into the wood to half its diameter. The Janka Hardness Rating is expressed in pounds-force (lbf), and higher numbers indicate greater hardness and durability.

For furniture making, hardwoods with high Janka Hardness Ratings are generally preferred, as they can withstand wear and tear and are less prone to denting or scratching. Some popular hardwoods for furniture making include hard maple, oak, and cherry.

In contrast, softer woods with lower Janka Hardness Ratings are often used for decorative purposes such as carvings or scrollwork. Examples of softwoods include western red cedar and Eastern white pine.

For flooring, woods with a higher Janka Hardness Rating are also preferred, as they can better withstand the foot traffic and furniture that a floor is exposed to. Some popular flooring options include Brazilian walnut, Brazilian cherry, and red oak.

Woodworkers who create cutting boards or kitchen utensils prefer woods that are both hard and non-toxic. Examples of such woods include hard maple and black walnut.

While a higher Janka Hardness Rating generally means greater durability, it can also make the wood more difficult to work with, as harder woods may be more difficult to saw, sand, or nail. It is important to carefully consider the properties of each wood species before choosing one for a specific project.

That being said, the hardness of a wood species is just one factor to consider when selecting the appropriate wood for a project. Other factors such as color, grain pattern, stability, and workability may also be important considerations.

Below is a chart of common wood species and their Janka Hardness Rating.


Wood Species Janka Hardness Rating (Pounds-Force, LBF)
Balsa 90
Atlantic White Cedar 350
White Pine 380
Basswood 410
Parota 470
Butternut 490
Obeche 490
Cypress 510
Poplar 540
Alder 590
Spanish Cedar 600
Norfolk Island Pine 650
Southern Yellow Pine 690
Sycamore 770
Florida Mahogany 800
African Mahogany 830
Lacewood 840
Cambara Mahogany 860
Australian Lacewood 880
Aromatic Cedar 900
Monkeypod 900
Imbuia 950
Soft Maple 950
Curly Soft Maple 950
Cherry 950
Curly Cherry 950
Chinaberry 990
Black Walnut 1010
Bolivian Walnut 1020
Plantation Teak 1050
Burmese Teak 1050
Mango 1070
Peruvian Walnut 1080
Makore 1100
Anigre 1110
S. Amer. Mahogany 1200
Andiroba 1220
Long Leaf Pine 1225
Red Grandis 1260
Birch 1260
Qt. Sawn Red Oak 1290
Red Oak 1290
Beech 1300
Ash 1320
White Oak 1360
Qt. Sawn White Oak 1360
Bishopwood 1370
Australian Cypress 1375
Sapele 1410
Hard Maple 1450
Birdseye Maple 1450
Curly Hard Maple 1450
Melaleuca 1530
Wenge 1630
Indian Rosewood 1660
Garapa 1650
Nicaraguan Rosewood 1650
Laurel Oak 1650
Purpleheart 2520
Blackwood 3670
Ipe 3680

Wood Identification & Use: Identification & Use
  • Hardcover Book
  • Porter, Terry (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 02/11/2014 (Publication Date) - GMC Publications (Publisher)

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