Janka Rating
The Janka test measures the force required to embed a 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail.
Note that this is a guideline for density and that the finish on the wood also plays an important part in the withstanding of denting and wear. As an example, Bamboo; with a medium Janka rating, is considered one of the strongest flooring options.
| Wood Flooring Species |
Hardness |
| Ipe / Brazilian Walnut / Lapacho | 3684 |
| Cumaru / Brazilian Teak | 3540 |
| Ebony | 3220 |
| Brazilian Redwood / Paraju | 3190 |
| Angelim Pedra | 3040 |
| Bloodwood | 2900 |
| Red Mahogany, Turpentine | 2697 |
| Spotted Gum | 2473 |
| Brazilian Cherry / Jatoba | 2350 |
| Mesquite | 2345 |
| Santos Mahogany, Bocote, Cabreuva | 2200 |
| Pradoo | 2170 |
| Brushbox | 2135 |
| Karri | 2030 |
| Sydney Blue Gum | 2023 |
| Bubinga | 1980 |
| Cameron | 1940 |
| Tallowwood | 1933 |
| Merbau | 1925 |
| Amendoim | 1912 |
| Jarrah | 1910 |
| Purpleheart | 1860 |
| Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood | 1850 |
| Hickory / Pecan, Satinwood | 1820 |
| Afzelia / Doussie | 1810 |
| Bangkirai | 1798 |
| Rosewood | 1780 |
| African Padauk | 1725 |
| Blackwood | 1720 |
| Merbau | 1712 |
| Kempas | 1710 |
| Locust | 1700 |
| Highland Beech | 1686 |
| Wenge, Red Pine | 1630 |
| Tualang | 1624 |
| Zebrawood | 1575 |
| True Pine, Timborana | 1570 |
| Peroba | 1557 |
| Kambala | 1540 |
| Sapele / Sapelli | 1510 |
| Curupixa | 1490 |
| Sweet Birch | 1470 |
| Hard Maple / Sugar Maple | 1450 |
| Coffee Bean | 1390 |
| Natural Bamboo (represents one species) | 1380 |
| Australian Cypress | 1375 |
| White Oak | 1360 |
| Tasmanian Oak | 1350 |
| Ribbon Gum | 1349 |
| Ash (White) | 1320 |
| American Beech | 1300 |
| Red Oak (Northern) | 1290 |
| Carribean Heart Pine | 1280 |
| Yellow Birch | 1260 |
| Movingui | 1230 |
| Heart Pine | 1225 |
| Carbonized Bamboo (represents one species) | 1180 |
| Cocobolo | 1136 |
| Brazilian Eucalyptus / Rose Gum | 1125 |
| Makore | 1100 |
| Boreal | 1023 |
| Black Walnut | 1010 |
| Teak | 1000 |
| Sakura | 995 |
| Black Cherry, Imbuia | 950 |
| Boire | 940 |
| Paper Birch | 910 |
| Cedar | 900 |
| Southern Yellow Pine (Longleaf) | 870 |
| Lacewood, Leopardwood | 840 |
| Parana | 780 |
| Sycamore | 770 |
| Shedua | 710 |
| Southern Yellow Pine (Loblolly and Shortleaf) | 690 |
| Douglas Fir | 660 |
| Larch | 590 |
| Chestnut | 540 |
| Hemlock | 500 |
| White Pine | 420 |
| Basswood | 410 |
| Eastern White Pine | 380 |