Softwood Vs. Hardwood: What’s the Difference?
(And Which Should You Choose?)
The wood you choose can set the mood, budget, and longevity of your next woodworking project.
Hardwoods and softwoods offer different perks, whether you’re prioritizing price, durability, availability, or aesthetics, such as distinctive color and grain patterns versus a more uniform, neutral look.
So whatever your project or preferences, you have options. You don’t want to waste time and money buying wood that isn’t quite suited for your project. So let’s look more closely at:
Let’s start with the differences in classification, and then get into the specifics.
Key Differences Between Most Hardwoods and Softwoods
Softwoods are conifer trees, with needle-like leaves that last year-round.
While the names would seem to indicate that hardwoods are hard and softwoods are soft, the primary difference is actually in their botanical classifications:
- Hardwoods are classified as angiosperm trees, which are flowering trees
- Softwoods are classified as gymnosperm trees, most of which are conifers
Now let’s break down what these classifications mean in terms of characteristics.
Seeds1
Angiosperm (hardwood) trees produce seeds that are enclosed in a covering, such as those found in fruits or nuts.
Gymnosperm (softwood) produce seeds that are not enclosed and are typically found in cones.
Leaves
Hardwoods typically come from broadleaf trees and most are deciduous, shedding their leaves seasonally.
Most softwoods come from evergreen trees with needle-like or scale-like leaves.
(There are a few exceptions in both groups.)
Cell structure
Softwoods generally have a simpler, more uniform cellular structure. They only have two cell types, and over 90 percent of them are elongated, overlapping, fiber-like cells call longitudinal tracheids, which handle both structural support and fluid transport.
Hardwoods, on the other hand, have a more complex cellular structure, which includes true fibers and vessel elements. These vessels appear as pores on a cross-section of the wood, and this is one of the key features used to distinguish hardwoods from softwoods.2
Hardwoods are deciduous trees, with broad leaves that die in the fall.
Common hardwoods include:
- Oak
- Maple
- Mahogany
- Walnut
- Birch
- Teak
- Hickory
- Cherry
- Poplar
Common softwoods include:
- Spruce
- Cedar
- Pines
- Firs
- Hemlock
- Redwood
- Yew
- Larch (deciduous conifer)
- Cypress (deciduous conifer)
The different properties of these trees give them different strengths and weaknesses, even among the same classifications. So let’s look at some characteristics that would help determine how to match projects with wood type.
Durability
The factors that make wood durable vary widely by species, but many hardwoods are typically used for projects that favor hardiness and scratch resistance (furniture, flooring, outdoor fixtures). This is because many (but not all) hardwood species tend to be more dense and have higher Janka hardness ratings than most commonly-used softwood species.
Many softwoods do grow more quickly and tend to have a lower density, which can make them more prone to dents, scratches, or other types of surface wear and tear.
But even so, density alone should not be the sole determining factor for durability. Both growth rate and density can vary among both hardwood and softwood species. So in many cases, some of the more dense softwoods (like Douglas fir or Southern Yellow pine) will be more durable than some of the softer hardwoods (such as balsa).
Additionally, other factors like grain structure, oil or resin levels, moisture sensitivity, and resistance to insects can all affect how well the wood will hold up over time.
Some softwoods (such as cedar or cypress) are naturally more resistant to both moisture and insects, while many species of hardwood still require treatment or protection if they’ll be exposed to the elements in their final project forms.
So keep in mind that, while many hardwood species are denser and more wear-resistant than many softwood species, the hardwood-versus-softwood label alone doesn’t determine the overall level of durability.
Cost
In general, most softwood species are more affordable than most hardwoods. This is largely because they tend to grow faster and are produced in larger volumes, making them more widely available. But other factors also contribute to the lower cost, such as demand, grading, and level of processing.
Hardwood prices can vary significantly by species. Premium hardwoods like teak and mahogany tend to be more expensive due to limited supply, slower growth rates, and a consistently high demand. However, other hardwood species like oak, maple, or poplar are more readily available and tend to be more budget-friendly.
For most woodworkers, choosing which wood to purchase often comes down to weighing cost against project-specific priorities, such as aesthetics, performance, client preferences, etc.
In general, softwoods are often used in construction and structural applications due to higher availability and lower price tag. And hardwoods are often chosen for projects that require more durability, wear resistance, or visual appeal. So ultimately, the cost of any type of wood is closely tied to its intended use and market-based factors, such as availability, sustainability, or demand.
Appearance
Naturally, appearance is a major reason woodworkers would choose one type of wood over others.
Hardwoods are available in a wide variety of natural colors, grain patterns, and figure. These can range from lighter, more even tones to deeper, richer tones in varying patterns.
This makes many hardwood species a popular choice for making furniture, flooring, fine woodworking, and custom décor pieces. Some favorites are mahogany, walnut, maple, or cherry.
Softwoods are typically lighter in color and have a more uniform look, though this can certainly vary by species. Woods like pine or fir can have bold growth-ring contrasts while cedar or redwood have subtler patterns but a richer color profile.
More often than not, softwoods are chosen for projects with a casual or more rustic aesthetic.
Finishing behavior is something else to consider. Some hardwoods stain and finish evenly, while some softwoods can be more prone to blotching without proper preparation. However, both hardwoods and softwoods can be painted, stained, or clear-finished, allowing for a wide variety of visual options with the right techniques.
Workability
In general, softwoods are easier to work with because many types of them are lower in density and hardness, so they’re more forgiving with basic hand and power tools.
Keep in mind, however, that this can’t be said about all softwoods. Some softwoods have higher Janka wood hardness ratings, such as yew (~over 1500 lbf) or southern yellow pine (~870 lbf), making them technically harder than some of the softer hardwoods, like poplar (~540 lbf).
But most common hardwoods are indeed significantly dense, like those often used for furniture (maple, oak, mahogany, hickory, etc.), with Janka ratings from 950 lbf – 1820 lbf.
Which should you choose?
So what’s the better option for you—softwood or hardwood?
The answer depends on the kind of project you’re working on, and your priorities within the scope of the project.
In general, hardwoods work better for:
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Heirloom pieces
- Flooring
- Outdoor furniture (if longevity is the goal)
Softwoods, on the other hand, work best for:
- Outdoor furniture (if saving money is the goal)
- Basic, functional furniture
- Beginner projects
- Rustic aesthetic or a simpler, uniform appearance
- Construction
- Windows
- Doors
- Paneling
For a visual, here’s a quick reference chart of generalized pros and cons of each wood type. Though remember that according to individual wood species, there are exceptions, as covered in the sections above.
While these general characteristics may help simplify your search, remember that overall, you want to find the best-suited wood species for your projects’ needs and priorities—whether that’s longevity/performance, lowering costs, or aiming for a specific aesthetic.
Visit our Wood Knowledge Base for more tips, info, and inspiration for creating quality projects you can be proud of.
1. Bale, Steph and Christ Watson, “Don’t get stumped by timber terms: understanding the differences between hardwood and softwood,” Forestry Commission (July 31, 2025); Wiedenhoeft, Alex, Structure and Function of Wood, USDA.gov, pg. 11.
2. Conners, Terry, Ph.D., “Distinguishing Hardwoods from Softwoods,” University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
Jason Wright, Business Development Specialist for New Products, joined Wagner Meters in 2019. He comes to Wagner with over 35 years of experience in the flooring industry.
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