Species
Janka Scale (psi)
The species listed are ranked according to the Janka hardness test. The Janka hardness test measures the amount of force necessary to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. This test is not only a good indicator of how a species will resist denting and wear, but is also a good indicator of how a species will saw, nail or sand.
Hardwood Species Hardness Scale
Brazilian Walnut
Brazilian Ebony
African Pearwood / Moabi
Bolivian Cherry
Brazilian Teak
Southern Chestnut
Tiete Chestnut
Tiete Rosewood
Brazilian Redwood
Brazilian Rosewood
Bloodwood
Brazilian Cherry
Patagonian Rosewood
African Cedar / Bosse
Caribbean Cherry
Ironwood
3680
3692
3540
3540
3190
3000
2890
2800
Caribbean Rosewood
Mesquite
Santos Mahogany
Tigerwood
Jarrah
Sydney Blue / Gum
African Rosewood / Bubigna
Doussie
Merbau
Amendoim
Hickory / Pecan
Bolivian Rosewood / Morado
Padeuk / African Cherry
Kempas
Bamboo*
Wenge
Zebrawood
Timborana
Cameron
Sapele / African Walnut
Brazilian Maple
Northern Hard Maple
Royal Mahogany
Caribbean Walnut
2345
2200
2082
1980
1912
1770
1575
1710
1543
1790
1500
1400
Australian Cypress
White Oak
Ash
American Beech
Red Oak
Yellow Birch
Caribbean Heart Pine
Heart Pine
Larch
Peruvian Walnut
Brazilian Eucalyptus
Black Walnut
Teak
American Cherry
Southern Yellow Pine
South American Lacewood
African Mahogany
Mahogany
Honduran Mahogany
Douglas Fir
California Redwood
1375
1320
1290
1240
1200
1080
1000
870
830
800
420
Most results compiled in this chart were taken from the Forest Products Laboratories Wood Handbook, Chapter 4: Mechanical Properties of Wood. Other results were obtained through Wood Flooring International.
*The Bamboo Janka rating varies greatly among manufacturers. The Bamboo rating listed in this chart is an average of several different manufacturer's Janka rating for Bamboo flooring.
