Is English Walnut harder than Black Walnut?

Yes, English Walnut has a Janka hardness of 1,220 lbf compared to Black Walnut's 1,010 lbf. However, both are considered moderately soft for hardwoods.

Why is English Walnut so expensive?

English Walnut trees are smaller and grow more slowly than Black Walnut. Most English Walnut lumber is imported to North America, and figured specimens command extremely high prices for veneer and fine furniture.

Which walnut is used for gunstocks?

Black Walnut is the traditional American gunstock wood due to its excellent workability, shock resistance, and rich dark color. English Walnut is used for premium European and custom firearms.

Black Walnut vs English Walnut wood grain comparison

furniture

Black Walnut vs English Walnut Wood: What's the Difference? (2026)

Prepared by Lumberama's Wood Comparison Team

|Last updated June 2, 2026|Sources & methodology

Black Walnut and English Walnut are both prized furniture woods, but they differ in ways that matter for woodworking and design. Black Walnut is the North American powerhouse known for its deep color, while English Walnut (also called European Walnut) offers a lighter, more nuanced palette. This comparison clarifies the distinctions between these two premium species.

Black Walnut

English Walnut

Key Takeaways

Black Walnut and English Walnut are both prized furniture woods, but they differ in ways that matter for woodworking and design.
Black Walnut is the North American powerhouse known for its deep color, while English Walnut (also called European Walnut) offers a lighter, more nuanced palette.
This comparison clarifies the distinctions between these two premium species.
Black Walnut is the practical choice for North American woodworkers with better availability and that signature dark color.
English Walnut is the connoisseur's choice for figured specimens and lighter European aesthetics.

Property	Black Walnut	English Walnut
Price/Board Ft	$8-$14	$10-$20
Janka Hardness	1,010 lbf	1,220 lbf
Color	Deep chocolate brown	Light brown to gray-brown
Grain	Straight to wavy	Straight, finer texture
Availability	Good - North America	Limited - imported
Workability	Excellent	Excellent
Common Use	Furniture, flooring, gunstocks	Fine furniture, veneers, luxury items

Black Walnut

Pros

Rich deep color without staining, Excellent workability, Domestically sourced in North America, Wide availability in lumber form

Cons

Softer than English Walnut, Color can lighten over time, Premium pricing, Sapwood contrast with heartwood

English Walnut

Pros

Harder than Black Walnut, Lighter more versatile color, Prized for figured specimens, Traditional European furniture wood

Cons

Very expensive, Limited availability in North America, Mostly sold as veneer, Smaller tree yields narrower boards

Best Use Cases

Choose Black Walnut for rich dark furniture and woodworking projects with readily available solid lumber in North America. Choose English Walnut for fine furniture and luxury applications where lighter tones and figured grain are desired.

Verdict

Black Walnut is the practical choice for North American woodworkers with better availability and that signature dark color. English Walnut is the connoisseur's choice for figured specimens and lighter European aesthetics.