East Indian Rosewood
Dalbergia latifolia
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
A classic instrument-grade rosewood, dense and richly colored, commonly used for guitar backs and sides.
Commonly built
- Guitar backs & sides
- Fine furniture
- Turned pens
Appearance
Purplish-brown to dark brown with darker streaking; distinctive spicy, rose-like scent when cut.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Natural oils can slow glue and finish cure, wipe with solvent before bonding. Dust is a known respiratory irritant, use dust collection.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn east indian rosewood panel moves roughly 0.31 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does East Indian Rosewood move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is East Indian Rosewood?
East Indian Rosewood has a Janka hardness of 2440 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is East Indian Rosewood suitable for outdoor use?
East Indian Rosewood is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is East Indian Rosewood to work with?
East Indian Rosewood has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does East Indian Rosewood move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn east indian rosewood panel moves roughly 0.31 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Glue-up notes
Degrease joint surfaces before gluing; oils otherwise weaken bond strength.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used east indian rosewood, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.