All species / Black Walnut

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Fine furniture, cabinets, gunstocks and turning; the benchmark American furniture wood.

The data

Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)1,680,000 psi

Specific gravity (12% MC)0.55

Janka hardness1,010 lbf

Average dried weight38.0 lb/ft³

Shrinkage, radial (green → dry)5.5%

Shrinkage, tangential7.8%

Shrinkage, volumetric12.8%

Movement classAverage movement

Stiffness & hardness: USDA Wood Handbook (Table 5-3 class data). Shrinkage: USDA Wood Handbook. Full sourcing notes are in our data documentation on the guides page — values print with their source so you can check us.

Shelf span guide — Black Walnut

Longest span that stays at or under the 0.02 in/ft long-term standard, floating ends, load spread evenly:

Shelf	15 lb/ft	25 lb/ft	35 lb/ft
3/4 in thick, 11 in deep	35 in	29 in	26 in
1 in thick, 11 in deep	47 in	39 in	35 in

Quick sag check — Black Walnut

Span (in)

Depth (in)

Thickness (in)

Total load (lb)

Full options — edging strips, fixed ends, centered loads — in the Shelf Sag Calculator.

Quick movement check — Black Walnut

Width across grain (in)

Cut

From MC (%)

To MC (%)

Full options in the Wood Movement Calculator.