Janka Hardness

The Janka hardness test measures wood resistance to indentation and denting by forcing a steel ball into the wood surface under standard load. Developed by Gabriel Janka in 1934, the test is a simple, nondestructive indicator of wood durability, wear resistance, and suitability for flooring, furniture, and other wear-prone applications. Janka hardness is one of the most widely used wood property metrics in wood science and commerce.