Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) or Soft Maple for a cutting board?

For a cutting board, Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) is the stronger pick of the two.

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.

Hard Maple (Sugar Maple)
Soft Maple
Hardness (Janka)
1450 lbf
950 lbf
Cost
Premium
Moderate
Workability
Fair
Good
Seasonal movement
Medium
Medium
Full Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) profile →Full Soft Maple profile →Best woods for a cutting board