Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionKarri Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Karri is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameEucalyptus diversicolor
Janka hardness2,030 lbf
Average dried weight55 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Karri?
Karri is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southwestern Australia. It is useful when the project calls for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, plywood, and other construction purposes
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameEucalyptus diversicolor
DistributionSouthwestern Australia
ShrinkageRadial: 7.8%, Tangential: 12.9%, Volumetric: 20.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
DurabilityRated as durable to moderately durable; moderate insect resistance, though susceptible to termites.
Karri colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is golden to reddish brown, sometimes with a orange or purple cast. Color tends to darken with age.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is interlocked, with a medium to coarse uniform texture.
Working notes
In the shop, difficult to work on account of its density. Also may cause tearout during surfacing operations, especially on quartersawn surfaces.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Karri has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Karri should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Karri
Best projects
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, plywood, and other construction purposes
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Karri from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Karri FAQ
What is Karri best used for?
Karri is best considered for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, plywood, and other construction purposes. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Karri beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Karri?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.