Walnut

Walnut is a premium dark hardwood loved for furniture and fine detail work. This section covers walnut’s color and grades, finishing, and how it compares to other species.

Color & grades: walnut color, black walnut vs walnut, and walnut vs black walnut.

Finishing: finish walnut, walnut oil, and finish black walnut.

Compare & facts: walnut vs mahogany, are black walnuts toxic, and plant black walnut.

For how walnut ranks among species, see our types of wood guide.

What color is walnut wood? A rich chocolate brown with purple or grey undertones that lightens slightly as it ages (unlike cherry, which darkens).

How do you finish walnut? Walnut looks great with a simple oil finish that deepens its color; add a topcoat for wear resistance.