Wood Flooring Hardness Chart

How Hard is Hardwood?

Here we list the relative hardness of each wood species used to make hardwood floors. These ratings were created using the Janka Hardness Test, which measures the force needed to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a piece of wood.

The higher the number, the harder the wood. Though it’s one of the best methods to measure the ability of a specific species of wood to withstand indentations, it should only be used as a general guide for comparison. The construction and finish of a floor also play an important role in its durability and ease of maintenance.