Red sandalwood is generally harder than black ebony. This conclusion is based on the Janka hardness scale, which measures the resistance of wood to indentation. Red sandalwood typically has a Janka hardness of around 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi), while black ebony has a Janka hardness of approximately 1,820 psi. The higher the Janka hardness value, the harder the wood is considered to be. This difference in hardness is due to the varying densities and compositions of the two woods. Red sandalwood has a higher density and contains more oil, making it harder and more durable. In contrast, black ebony has a lower density and is less dense, which contributes to its lower hardness.