Most woodworkers and DIYers think that hardwood means wood that is harder to cut, and softwood means wood that is softer and easier to cut. But that’s not entirely true, and that’s not the reason they’ve been given these names.
So, which is easier to cut? Hardwood or softwood? Well, we’re here to answer this with proper facts and debunk myths about the name hardwood and softwood.
Generally, softwood is easier to cut compared to hardwood. However, this is not a universal law, as some softwoods are harder and have higher Janka hardness and density than certain hardwoods (wood with higher Janka hardness or density is considered harder to cut).
So, without further delay, we will dive into the article to better understand hardwood and softwood, their Janka hardness and density, and what makes them easier to cut through.
Understanding the Basic Difference Between Hardwood & Softwood
Before determining if softwood or hardwood is easier to cut, it is crucial to understand the basic differences between the two and the reasons behind their names.
Hardwood trees are generally characterized by having broad leaves and belonging to the taxonomic group called Angiosperms. On the other hand, softwood trees typically have needle-like leaves and belong to the taxonomic group known as Gymnosperms.
In general, Angiosperms, which include hardwoods, tend to be harder compared to Gymnosperms (Softwoods)
Differences in hardness among softwoods mainly come from the speed of growth, where fast growth leads to less dense, softer wood, and slow growth results in denser, harder wood.
So, most of the time, it is considered that hardwood means that it is hard to cut through. Yes, It applies to some extent, but not entirely true.
There is a possibility that certain softwoods grow at a slower rate than certain hardwoods, resulting in them being harder and more challenging to cut in comparison to hardwoods.
We have already outlined that having a name for hardwood does not necessarily make the wood hardwood in nature (as Balsa is softer than almost every softwood).
We’ve covered a separate article on the easiest hardwood to cut. If you want to learn more about cutting hardwood, you should read this article.
Also, Read: Cutting Hardwood With a Circular Saw – 3 Things To Consider
Which is Easier to Cut, Hardwood or Softwood?
We will rely on the Janka Hardness test and density to find out which softwood is harder than most hardwoods. So let’s take a look.
In the Janka hardness test, a steel ball (11.28mm diameter) is forced into a wooden piece. So, the force needed to press the steel ball (until the half ball is embedded into the wooden piece) into the wood is its Janka hardness.
If Janka Hardness is Less, the wood is soft and easier to cut
Additionally, If the wood has less density, the fibers are not closely packed, and the wood content is less in the wooden piece, which also means it will need less force to break the wood cells, hence easier to cut.
Less Density = Softer Wood = Easier to Cut
Below we have created two tables of common hardwood and softwood with their Janka hardness and density. It will provide a clear idea of which hardwood is difficult to cut through and which is soft and easy.
For Hardwood
| Hardwood | Janka Hardness (LBF) | Density (kg/m³) |
| Balsa | 88 | 100-250 |
| Balsam Poplar | 300 | 370 |
| Quaking Aspen | 350 | 415 |
| Basswood | 410 | 320-590 |
| Silver maples | 700 | 530 |
| Mahogany | 800 | 850 |
| American Cherry | 950 | 630- 900 |
| Teak | 1000 | 610-750 |
| Walnut | 1010 | 640-700 |
| White oak | 1320 | 770 |
| Maple | Hard: 1450 ; Soft: 950 | 620-750 |
| Rosewood | 1780 | 800-900 |
| Pecan | 1820 | 770 |
| Tigerwood | 1850 | 905 |
| Purple heart | 2520 | 905 |
| Palso santo | 4390 | 1,115 |
For Softwood
| Softwood | Janka hardness (LBF) | Density (kg/m³) |
| European Silver FIR | 320 | 415 |
| Northern white cedar | 320 | 449 |
| Western red cedar | 350 | 380 |
| Eastern White Pines | 360 | 350-500 |
| Aspen | 420 | 420 |
| Cottonwood | 430 | 410 |
| Redwood | 450 | 400-900 |
| Ponderosa pine | 460 | 721 |
| Spruce | 510 | 480-780 |
| Cypress sitka spruce | 520 | 510 |
| Hemlock | 540 | 500 |
| Western hemlock | 540 | 500 |
| Douglas FIR | 620 | 530 |
| Parana pine | 780 | 560 |
| Larch | 830 | 500-560 |
| Eastern red cedar | 900 | 380 |
| Cedar | 900 | 490-570 |
| English Yew | 1520 | 670 |
Balsa is one of the softest hardwoods according to its Janka hardness of 88 LBF and density of 100-250 kg/m³, as shown in the table.
While European silver FIR is one of the softest soft-wood according to its table, with a Janka hardness of 320 LBF and a density of 415 kg/m³.
In addition, the Balsam poplar has a Janka hardness of 300 LBF and a density of 370 kg/m³, which is lower than the Janka hardness and density of all the softwoods we used to make the table. This proves our claim that some hardwoods are softer and easier to cut than some softwoods.
Furthermore, let’s analyze the table from top to bottom. We can observe that even the hardest softwood has a Janka hardness of only 1520 LBF, while the hardest hardwood reaches approximately 4400 LBF. This further supports our claim that hardwoods are generally harder than softwoods.
Our values might not be accurate, but it is enough to understand which one is easier to cut through.
Which is Better to Use: Hardwood or Softwood?
To determine which is better, hardwood or softwood, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of hardwoods and softwoods.
Hardwood:
| Pros | Cons |
| Does not warp easily: makes it best for furniture. Does not swell or shrink. | It is quite difficult to work on hardwood for detailed working. (cuts or curves). |
| Durable because of hardness(Not prone to scratches and dents). | It needs double effort to cut through it. (But you can get precise cuts) |
| Don’t need much maintenance. | High demand makes it expensive |
| They are fire resistant to some extent. | Growth rate of the hardwood is slow |
| Good Strength because of high density |
Softwood:
| Pros | Cons |
| They have a fast growth rate that makes them. Renewable is better than hardwood | Poor fire resistance.. No resistance to dents and scratches |
| Its lightweight and smooth texture makes it more workable | This wood’s density factor makes it less durable and weak. |
| Easier to cut, but chances of breakage due to its softer nature | They have a short market life |
| Some softwoods are easier to cut | Poor fire resistance. No resistance to dents and scratches |
For some projects, softwoods are better than hardwoods and vice versa (It’s subjective to the applications). Now, it’s up to you to decide which one you should choose. We mostly prefer hardwood because of its precise cutting and durability.
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