Wood Hardness Chart (Janka)
Compare common woods by Janka hardness, weight, rough cost and how easily they work. Click any column to sort, or search by name or use — to pick the right species for your project.
Species comparison
Click a column to sort| Species ↕ | Type ↕ | Janka (lbf) ↕ | Weight (lb/ft³) ↕ | Cost ↕ | Works ↕ | Common uses |
|---|
How to read the Janka scale
The Janka hardness test measures the force in pounds (lbf) needed to press a 0.444" steel ball halfway into the wood — higher means harder and more dent-resistant. Among common species, ipe is one of the hardest (~3,510), with hickory (1,820) and hard maple (1,450) close behind, while western red cedar (~350) and eastern white pine (380) are the softest and easiest to work. Harder isn't automatically better: dense woods resist wear (good for floors, bench tops and cutting boards) but are tougher to cut and cost more, so pine, poplar and soft maple are friendlier for shelving, trim and learning.
What is Janka hardness?
The force (lbf) needed to embed a 0.444" steel ball halfway into the wood. Higher = harder and more dent-resistant.
Is a harder wood always better?
No. Hard woods resist wear but are harder to saw, plane and sand, and cost more. For shelving, trim and learning, softer pine or poplar is usually the better pick.
Need volume or cost?
Use the free board foot calculator for volume or the lumber cost calculator to price your list.