How to use this lookup
Start with the project type filter — this is the most restrictive filter and narrows your options to woods that are known to work well for that application. Then narrow by hardness, cost, color, and workability.
If you're not sure about project type, filter by workability and cost — that's what most beginner and intermediate woodworkers care about most.
What the fields mean
- Janka hardness: Force (in lbf) required to embed a 0.444" steel ball halfway into the wood. Higher = harder. Softwoods are typically 300-700 lbf; hardwoods 800-2000 lbf; exotics 2000-4000+ lbf.
- Workability: How forgiving the wood is to hand and machine tools. Factors include grain straightness, density, silica content (in some tropicals), and tendency to chip or splinter.
- Cost tier: Rough 2026 reference pricing for kiln-dried 4/4 lumber in the US. Exotics and figured wood cost significantly more.
Reading the project-fit icons
Each card shows project-fit ratings: full circle (excellent), half circle (good with care), empty circle (not recommended). Use them as a quick starting point, then read the description for context. A "not recommended" rating usually means the wood works but isn't the best fit — for example, oak is technically fine for a small jewelry box but is usually chosen for larger pieces where its figure shows.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best beginner-friendly hardwood?
Poplar for painted projects, walnut for natural-finish projects. Both are dimensionally stable, machine cleanly, and accept finish well. Cherry is a close third for natural finishes. Avoid oak and hard maple until you're comfortable with tear-out control.
Is "exotic" worth the cost?
For most furniture, no — domestic hardwoods offer 90% of the visual and mechanical properties at 30-50% of the cost. Save exotics for accent pieces, jewelry boxes, or projects where their specific properties (e.g., rosewood for guitar fretboards) are functionally necessary.
What about sustainability?
Look for FSC certification, which verifies the wood comes from responsibly-managed forests. Avoid woods on the CITES appendices (some rosewoods, several mahoganies) unless you can verify legal harvest. The "Domestic only" filter limits you to US-grown species, which have well-documented supply chains.