Janka Hardness Test

Wood exists in large variety of species and each type has a different quality of hardness. The Janka Hardness Test is used to determine the hardness of individual wood species by observing their resistance to denting and wear. The test measures the amount of force that is required to press a steel ball into the wood sample up to half of the steel ball’s thickness. The Janka Hardness Test is often employed to ascertain if specific wood species are suitable for use in commercial applications such as wood flooring.

SpeciesForce (lbs)
Australian Buloke5,060 lbf
Schinopsis brasiliensis, Quebracho, Barauna, Chamacoco4,800 lbf
Schinopsis balansae, Quebracho Colorado, Red Quebracho4,570 lbf
Lignum vitae, Guayacan, Pockenholz4,500 lbf
Piptadenia Macrocarpa, Curupay, Angico Preto, Brazilian Tiger Mahogany3,840 lbf
Snakewood, Letterhout, Piratinera Guinensis3,800 lbf
Brazilian Olivewood3,700 lbf
Brazilian Ebony3,692 lbf
Ipê, Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho3,684 lbf
African Pearwood, Moabi3,680 lbf
Grey Ironbark3,664 lbf
Bolivian Cherry3,650 lbf
Lapacho3,640 lbf
Cumaru, Brazilian Teak3,540 lbf
Sucupira, Brazilian Chestnut, Tiete Chestnut3,417 lbf
Ironwood3,260 lbf
Ebony3,220 lbf
Massaranduba, Brazilian Redwood, Paraju3,190 lbf
Yvyraro3,190 lbf
Strand Woven Bamboo3,000 lbf
Cocobolo2,960 lbf
Bloodwood2,900 lbf
Red Mahogany, Turpentine2,697 lbf
Live Oak2,680 lbf
Southern Chestnut2,670 lbf
Spotted Gum2,473 lbf
Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba2,350 lbf
Mesquite2,345 lbf
Golden Teak2,330 lbf
Guatambú, Kyrandy, Balfourodendron riedelianum2,240 lbf
Santos Mahogany, Bocote, Cabreuva, Honduran Rosewood2,200 lbf
Pradoo2,170 lbf
Brazilian Koa2,160 lbf
Brushbox2,135 lbf
Osage Orange2,040 lbf
Karri2,030 lbf
Sydney Blue Gum2,023 lbf
Bubinga1,980 lbf
Cameron1,940 lbf
Tallowwood1,933 lbf
Merbau1,925 lbf
Amendoim1,912 lbf
Jarrah1,910 lbf
Purpleheart1,860 lbf
Goncalo Alves, Tigerwood1,850 lbf
Hickory, Pecan, Satinwood1,820 lbf
Afzelia, Doussie, Australian Wormy Chestnut1,810 lbf
Bangkirai1,798 lbf
Rosewood1,780 lbf
African Padauk1,725 lbf
Blackwood1,720 lbf
Merbau1,712 lbf
Kempas1,710 lbf
Black Locust1,700 lbf
Highland Beech1,686 lbf
Wenge, Red Pine, Hornbeam1,630 lbf
Tualang1,624 lbf
Zebrawood1,575 lbf
True Pine, Timborana1,570 lbf
Peroba1,557 lbf
Sapele, Sapelli, Kupa’y1,510 lbf
Curupixa1,490 lbf
Sweet Birch1,470 lbf
Hard maple, Sugar Maple1,450 lbf
Caribbean Walnut1,390 lbf
Kentucky coffeetree1,390 lbf
Natural Bamboo1,380 lbf
Australian Cypress1,375 lbf
White Oak1,360 lbf
Tasmanian oak1,350 lbf
Ribbon Gum1,349 lbf
Ash1,320 lbf
American Beech1,300 lbf
Red Oak1,290 lbf
Caribbean Heart Pine1,280 lbf
Yellow Birch, Iroko1,260 lbf
Movingui1,230 lbf
Heart pine1,225 lbf
Carapa guianensis, Brazilian Mesquite1,220 lbf
Larch1,200 lbf
Carbonized Bamboo1,180 lbf
Teak1,155 lbf
Brazilian Eucalyptus, Rose Gum1,125 lbf
English Oak1,120 lbf
Makore1,100 lbf
Siberian Larch1,100 lbf
Peruvian Walnut1,080 lbf
Boreal1,023 lbf
Black Walnut, North American Walnut1,010 lbf
Cherry995 lbf
Black Cherry, Imbuia950 lbf
Red Maple950 lbf
Boire940 lbf
Paper Birch910 lbf
Eastern Red Cedar900 lbf
Southern Yellow Pine870 lbf
Lacewood, Leopardwood840 lbf
African Mahogany830 lbf
Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany800 lbf
Parana780 lbf
Sycamore770 lbf
Box Elder720 lbf
Shedua710 lbf
Radiata Pine710 lbf
Silver Maple700 lbf
Southern Yellow Pine690 lbf
Douglas Fir660 lbf
Western Juniper626 lbf
Alder590 lbf
Larch590 lbf
Chestnut540 lbf
Hemlock500 lbf
Western White Pine420 lbf
Basswood410 lbf
Eastern White Pine380 lbf
Balsa100 lbf
Cuipo22 lbf