Wood
Wood Species, Hardness and Types
Every species page joins the facts you look up to the math you do with them: how hard the wood is on the Janka scale, how much a board weighs, how much it moves with the seasons, its color, how it works and what it is used for. The types-of-wood pages and side-by-side comparisons answer the questions people ask before they buy.
The measured properties come from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory's Wood Handbook, a public-domain reference, and are checked against other published sources; where they disagree, the page shows both. Notes on dust and toxicity quote health and safety authorities only. Calculators for wood weight and wood movement use the same species data, so the numbers on a species page and in a calculator always agree.
Calculators
- Wood movement calculatorHow much a board will swell or shrink, by species, width and grain, from moisture content or temperature and humidity, by USDA Wood Handbook data.
- EMC calculatorThe moisture content wood settles at for a given temperature and relative humidity, by the USDA Wood Handbook equation, with its full EMC chart.
- Wood weight calculatorWhat a board or a stack of lumber weighs, by species and moisture content, worked from USDA Wood Handbook specific gravity. In lb or kg, live as you type.
Reference
- Types of woodEvery wood species on this site, hardwood and softwood, with Janka hardness and weight from the USDA Wood Handbook, and what makes a hardwood a hardwood.
- Janka hardness chartJanka side hardness of every wood species here, hardest first, in lbf and N at 12% moisture content, from the USDA Wood Handbook. Sortable and printable.
- Wood density chartWhat every wood species here weighs at 12% moisture content, per cubic foot, cubic meter and board foot, worked from USDA Wood Handbook specific gravity.
- Wood shrinkage chartHow much each wood species shrinks and swells: tangential, radial and volumetric shrinkage from the USDA Wood Handbook, and what a 12 in board does.
- Wood dust and toxic woodsWhat IARC, OSHA, NIOSH and Germany's TRGS 907 sensitizer list say about wood dust and which wood species are listed, with no medical advice of our own.
- White oak vs red oakWhite oak against red oak: Janka hardness, weight, how much each moves, pores and decay resistance, from the USDA Wood Handbook, side by side.
- Hard maple vs soft mapleHard maple (sugar, black) against soft maple (red, silver, bigleaf): Janka hardness, weight and movement from the USDA Wood Handbook, and their uses.
- Oak vs mapleWhite oak, red oak and hard maple side by side: Janka hardness, weight, movement and grain from the USDA Wood Handbook, and what each is used for.
- Red alderRed alder: Janka hardness 590 lbf, 29 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- AshAsh: Janka hardness 1,320 lbf, 42 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- AspenAspen: Janka hardness 350 lbf, 27 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- BasswoodBasswood: Janka hardness 410 lbf, 26 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- BeechBeech: Janka hardness 1,300 lbf, 45 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- BirchBirch: Janka hardness 1,260 lbf, 43 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- ButternutButternut: Janka hardness 490 lbf, 27 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- CherryCherry: Janka hardness 950 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- American chestnutAmerican chestnut: Janka hardness 540 lbf, 30 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- CottonwoodCottonwood: Janka hardness 430 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- ElmElm: Janka hardness 830 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- HackberryHackberry: Janka hardness 880 lbf, 37 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- HickoryHickory: Janka hardness 1,880 lbf, 50 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- PecanPecan: Janka hardness 1,820 lbf, 46 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- HoneylocustHoneylocust: Janka hardness 1,580 lbf, 45 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Black locustBlack locust: Janka hardness 1,700 lbf, 48 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- MagnoliaMagnolia: Janka hardness 1,020 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Hard mapleHard maple: Janka hardness 1,450 lbf, 44 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Soft mapleSoft maple: Janka hardness 950 lbf, 38 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Red oakRed oak: Janka hardness 1,290 lbf, 44 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- White oakWhite oak: Janka hardness 1,360 lbf, 48 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- SassafrasSassafras: 32 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- SweetgumSweetgum: Janka hardness 850 lbf, 36 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- SycamoreSycamore: Janka hardness 770 lbf, 34 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- TanoakTanoak: 45 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- TupeloTupelo: Janka hardness 810 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- WalnutWalnut: Janka hardness 1,010 lbf, 38 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Black willowBlack willow: 27 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- PoplarPoplar: Janka hardness 540 lbf, 29 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- CypressCypress: Janka hardness 510 lbf, 32 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Atlantic white cedarAtlantic white cedar: Janka hardness 350 lbf, 22 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Eastern red cedarEastern red cedar: Janka hardness 650 lbf green, 33 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Incense cedarIncense cedar: Janka hardness 470 lbf, 26 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Northern white cedarNorthern white cedar: Janka hardness 320 lbf, 22 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Port Orford cedarPort Orford cedar: Janka hardness 630 lbf, 30 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Western red cedarWestern red cedar: Janka hardness 350 lbf, 22 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Alaska yellow cedarAlaska yellow cedar: Janka hardness 580 lbf, 31 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Douglas-firDouglas-fir: Janka hardness 710 lbf, 34 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- FirFir: Janka hardness 480 lbf, 27 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Eastern hemlockEastern hemlock: Janka hardness 500 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Western hemlockWestern hemlock: Janka hardness 540 lbf, 31 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Western larchWestern larch: Janka hardness 830 lbf, 36 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Eastern white pineEastern white pine: Janka hardness 380 lbf, 24 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Southern yellow pineSouthern yellow pine: Janka hardness 870 lbf, 41 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Ponderosa pinePonderosa pine: Janka hardness 460 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Sugar pineSugar pine: Janka hardness 380 lbf, 25 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Western white pineWestern white pine: Janka hardness 420 lbf, 27 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Red pineRed pine: Janka hardness 560 lbf, 32 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Lodgepole pineLodgepole pine: Janka hardness 480 lbf, 29 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- RedwoodRedwood: Janka hardness 480 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- Sitka spruceSitka spruce: Janka hardness 510 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- SpruceSpruce: Janka hardness 530 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- TamarackTamarack: Janka hardness 590 lbf, 37 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, its strength, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook.
- AfrormosiaAfrormosia: Janka hardness 1,560 lbf, 46 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- AndirobaAndiroba: Janka hardness 1,130 lbf, 40 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- AvodireAvodire: Janka hardness 1,080 lbf, 36 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- AzobeAzobe: Janka hardness 3,350 lbf, 68 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- BalsaBalsa: 12 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- BubingaBubinga: Janka hardness 2,690 lbf, 54 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- CativoCativo: Janka hardness 630 lbf, 30 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- JatobaJatoba: Janka hardness 2,350 lbf, 54 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Goncalo alvesGoncalo alves: Janka hardness 2,160 lbf, 62 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- GreenheartGreenheart: Janka hardness 2,350 lbf, 62 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- IpeIpe: Janka hardness 3,680 lbf, 70 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- IrokoIroko: Janka hardness 1,260 lbf, 40 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- JarrahJarrah: Janka hardness 1,910 lbf, 53 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- JelutongJelutong: Janka hardness 390 lbf at 15% MC, 26 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- KapurKapur: Janka hardness 1,230 lbf, 49 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- KarriKarri: Janka hardness 2,040 lbf, 65 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- KempasKempas: Janka hardness 1,710 lbf, 54 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- KeruingKeruing: Janka hardness 1,270 lbf, 53 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Lignum vitaeLignum vitae: Janka hardness 4,500 lbf, 88 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- LimbaLimba: Janka hardness 490 lbf, 28 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- African mahoganyAfrican mahogany: Janka hardness 830 lbf, 31 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- MahoganyMahogany: Janka hardness 800 lbf, 33 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- MerantiMeranti: Janka hardness 780 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- MerbauMerbau: Janka hardness 1,500 lbf at 15% MC, 47 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- MoraMora: Janka hardness 2,300 lbf, 61 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- ObecheObeche: Janka hardness 430 lbf, 22 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- OkoumeOkoume: Janka hardness 380 lbf, 25 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- OvangkolOvangkol: 50 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Parana pineParana pine: Janka hardness 780 lbf, 35 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Peroba rosaPeroba rosa: Janka hardness 1,730 lbf, 50 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- PurpleheartPurpleheart: Janka hardness 1,860 lbf, 50 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- RaminRamin: Janka hardness 1,300 lbf, 40 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Brazilian rosewoodBrazilian rosewood: Janka hardness 2,720 lbf, 59 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Indian rosewoodIndian rosewood: Janka hardness 3,170 lbf, 55 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- SapeleSapele: Janka hardness 1,510 lbf, 42 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Spanish cedarSpanish cedar: Janka hardness 600 lbf, 31 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- TeakTeak: Janka hardness 1,000 lbf, 40 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- Radiata pineRadiata pine: Janka hardness 750 lbf, 31 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- TornilloTornillo: Janka hardness 870 lbf green, 34 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- WallabaWallaba: Janka hardness 2,040 lbf, 58 lb/ft³ at 12% MC, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- CocoboloCocobolo: shrinkage, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- EbonyEbony: shrinkage, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
- RubberwoodRubberwood: shrinkage, how much it moves, color and uses, from the USDA Wood Handbook's imported woods.
Other sections
- FinishingFinishes, glues and fillers: dry and cure times, which to use, and how they compare.
- JoineryJoints and how to size them: dovetails, mortise and tenon, rabbets, dadoes and more.
- Lumber & plywoodBoard feet, actual and nominal sizes, hardwood quarters, plywood sizes and grades.
- Tools & machinesSetup and choice for the table saw, miter saw, router, planer, jointer, lathe and CNC.
- Fasteners & drillingScrew sizes, pilot and clearance holes, countersinks and drill bit sizes.