Black Walnut or Black Cherry for a dining table?

For a dining table, Black Walnut and Black Cherry are closely matched, both are reasonable choices, so the decision comes down to the specific trade-offs below and your own preference.

This verdict is generated from the same project-suitability scoring that powers our wood picker and guides, weighing hardness, movement, workability, and typical use for this project. It’s a starting point, not the last word: your budget, look, and what your lumberyard stocks all matter too.

Black Walnut
Black Cherry
Hardness (Janka)
1010 lbf
950 lbf
Cost
Premium
Moderate
Workability
Excellent
Excellent
Seasonal movement
Small
Small
Full Black Walnut profile →Full Black Cherry profile →Best woods for a dining table