The Janka hardness test measures the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. The higher the number, the harder the wood is. A rating is not in this chart for bamboo, as bamboo flooring varies greatly between different manufacturers products. For instance, the CFS Premium Green bamboo has a rating of 1380.

Relative Hardness of Wood Flooring Species
Below are listed the relative hardness for numerous wood species used in flooring. These ratings were done using the Janka Hardness Test. The higher the number the harder the wood. This should be used as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring. Ratings will vary from where and when a tree was obtained.

Janka Hardness Chart
Brazilian Ebony	3692
Brazilian Walnut	3680
Bolivian Cherry	3650
Lapacho	3640
Brazilian Teak	3540
Southern Chestnut	3540
Tiete Chestnut	3540
Tiete Roewood	3280
Brazilian Redwood	3190
Brazilian Rosewood	3000
Bloodwood	2900
Brazilian Cherry	2820
Patagonian Rosewood	2800
Caribbian Rosewood	2300
Santos Mahogany	2200
Tigerwood	2160
Purple Heart	2090
Jarrah	2082
Sydney Blue Gum	2025
African Rose (Bubigna)	1960
Merbau	1925
Amendoim	1912
Hickory Pecan	1820
Bolivian Rosewood	1780
Doussi	1770
Padeuk Cherry	1725
Kempas	1710
Bamboo	1650
Wenge	1630
Zebrawood	1575
Timborana	1570
Cameron	1543
African Sappelle	1500
Brazillian Maple	1500
Hard Maple	1450
Royal Mahogany	1400
Carribean Walnut	1400
Austalian Cypress	1375
White Oak	1360
White Ash	1320
American Beech	1300
Northern Red Oak	1290
Yellow Birch	1260
Caribbean Heart Pine	1240
Heart Pine	1225
Larch	1200
Teak	1155
Brazillian Eucaylptus	1125
Peruvian Walnut	1080
Black Walnut	1010
American Cherry	950