How the test works
The Janka test measures the force in pounds required to embed an 11.28 mm steel ball halfway into a sample of wood. The higher the number, the more force the surface resists before it dents.
It is a dent-resistance measurement, not a scratch-resistance measurement. Scratch resistance comes almost entirely from the finish system on top of the wood, not the species underneath it.
Where the Sunca species land
For reference, domestic red oak sits at roughly 1290 on the same scale.
- Jatoba (Brazilian cherry) — 2350
- Tigerwood — 2160
- Sucupira — 2140
- Tauri — 1500 to 1600
- White oak — approximately 1360
What hardness does not tell you
Dimensional stability is a separate property. Tauri is roughly 24% more stable than red oak despite being far from the hardest species we stock, which matters more than raw hardness in a home that swings from 20% to 55% relative humidity across a year.
Finish durability, board width, gloss level and colour all affect how a floor looks after five years more than the Janka number does. A 2350-rated floor in a high-gloss dark colour will look worn sooner than a 1360-rated wire-brushed oak in a mid tone.
Frequently asked
- Is a higher Janka rating always better?
- No. Janka measures dent resistance only. Dimensional stability, finish system, plank width and colour have a larger effect on how a floor looks after several years of use.
- What is the Janka hardness of Brazilian cherry?
- Jatoba, sold as Brazilian cherry, rates 2350 on the Janka scale — roughly twice the hardness of domestic red oak at about 1290.
Need this checked against a live job?
Send us the subfloor, the readings and the product you're planning to use. We'll tell you whether it works before the material ships.
Ask the Sunca team