Disclaimer

Last updated: June 2026  |  Published by Ready Utilities

JankaHardnessScale.com publishes Janka hardness data as a general reference, not a guarantee. The values here are published averages from established sources. They're useful for comparing wood species against each other, but they won't predict how a specific board performs once it's installed, finished, and lived on. This page covers where the numbers come from, what the tool can and can't do, and how this site operates.

Janka Data Accuracy

The Janka values on this site come from established industry sources, primarily The Wood Database (wood-database.com) and published flooring reference lists. The test itself was developed in 1906 by Austrian-born American researcher Gabriel Janka (1864–1932). It measures the force needed to push a 0.444-inch (11.28 mm) steel ball halfway into a wood sample. The standard method, per the Wikipedia entry for the Janka hardness test, is defined under ASTM D143 and uses small, clear heartwood specimens conditioned to 12 percent moisture content.

Every published value is an average. There's a standard deviation behind each number, but it's rarely shown. Actual hardness shifts based on the individual sample, moisture at the time of testing, where the tree grew, and the specific lab running the test. The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook is clear on this point: these numbers describe a species in general. They don't describe a particular board or flooring shipment.

Important: No testing is conducted on finished flooring products. A finish coat, wood treatment, or engineered construction affects real-world durability in ways the raw Janka number doesn't capture. Use these values for species comparison only.

About the Comparison Tool

The interactive Janka hardness comparison tool compares species side by side using published average values. Unit conversions between pounds-force (lbf), kilograms-force (kgf), and newtons (N) run on standard conversion factors. It's a solid lookup tool for species comparison, and that's exactly what it's built for.

What it doesn't factor in: finish type, board thickness, installation method, subfloor conditions, humidity, or the specific batch of lumber being considered. Treat the results as a starting point, not a spec sheet. Two species sitting close together on the scale are practically comparable in hardness; the numbers aren't precise enough to split hairs between similar values.

The full species data is also available as a static Janka hardness chart for anyone who prefers a non-interactive view.

Not a Substitute for Professional Advice

This site is an educational reference. It's not a replacement for talking to an actual flooring contractor, installer, or supplier.

Janka hardness is one factor among many. Subfloor type, moisture exposure, traffic patterns, pets, finish options, and personal preference all shape the right choice for a specific space. A flooring professional standing in the room can weigh all of that. A reference website can't. Before settling on a species or product, it's worth consulting someone with hands-on experience in flooring installation and selection.

Affiliate Disclosure

This site may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made through one of them, Ready Utilities may earn a commission at no extra cost to the buyer. That relationship doesn't change what gets published here. Hardness values, species descriptions, and editorial content all come from established sources and aren't shaped by who the affiliate partners are.

For more on how user data is handled in connection with affiliate programs, see the Privacy Policy.

Advertising

This site may show ads served by third-party networks, including Google AdSense. Advertisers have no say over the content here. The hardness data, species descriptions, and tool results come from independent sources, not from whoever's running an ad.

Ad content is produced by third-party networks and isn't endorsed by Ready Utilities. Anyone with questions about specific ads can use the ad network's own feedback or opt-out options. The Privacy Policy covers how cookies and tracking may be used in connection with advertising.

Accuracy and Corrections

This site aims to publish accurate Janka values and factual content. The data comes from The Wood Database, the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook, ASTM International standards, and the Wikipedia entry for the Janka hardness test. Errors can still slip through, whether from conflicting published sources, data entry mistakes, or shifting reference values over time.

Anyone who spots a factual mistake, an outdated number, or a broken link is welcome to report it through the contact page. Issues get checked against authoritative sources and fixed when confirmed. Accuracy matters here.

Limitation of Liability

This site and everything on it are provided "as is," with no warranty of any kind. Ready Utilities doesn't guarantee that the Janka data is complete, current, or error-free, and doesn't guarantee that the comparison tool will produce results that hold for any specific product, batch, or application.

Ready Utilities isn't liable for decisions made based on information from this site, whether that's a flooring purchase, a material choice for a woodworking project, or a contractor recommendation. Visitors use this content knowing it's a general reference, not a guarantee.

For the full terms governing use of this site, see the Terms of Service.