Comparing Wood Densities

Manufacturers take their wood density ratings from the “Janka Hardness Chart” which determines relative hardness of the different species by subjecting samples to a dent test which measure the degree of force needed to indent a steel ball a specified depth into the wood. The ratings should be used only as a general guide as variations are to be expected in all species. We have compiled our chart from several sources in order to list a large number of woods. Species are listed in order of relative hardness—the higher the number, the more durable the wood.

Species:

  

 Rating
Cork   **
Alder   590
Douglas Fir   660
Southern Yellow Pine (shortleaf)   690
Tamarack   800
Southern Yellow Pine (longleaf)   870
Black Cherry   950
Black Walnut   1010
Teak   1155
Heart Pine   1225
Yellow Birch   1260
Red Oak (Northern)   1260
Kimbala   1260
American Beech   1300
Ash   1320
White Oak   1360
Australian Cypress   1375
Merbau   1400
Hard Maple   1450
Wenge   1630
African Pedauk   1725
Bamboo   1800 *
Hickory   1820
Pecan   1820
Purpleheart   1860
Jarrah   1910
Santos Mahogany   2200
Mesquite   2345
Brazilian Cherry   2820
Brazilian Teak   3540

* Bamboo is typically referred to as being on the order of “27% harder than Northern Red Oak, 13% harder than hard Maple” so this rating is our estimate of where bamboo would place in this scale. However, caramelized bamboo is up to 30% softer, and strand-woven can be twice as as hard.

** Cork is not usually represented in hardness charts, for obvious reasons, but is durable enough to be a common choice for basketball courts and hospitals, both of which tend to be heavily traveled. Resiliency undoubtedly helps to overcome any lack in hardness. High-heels and very heavy furniture would not be kind to it!