| Softwood lumber sizes (pine, spruce, fir ... | Softwood lumber sizes (pine, spruce, fir ... | Softwood lumber sizes (pine, spruce, fir ... | Hardwood lumber sizes (oak, maple, walnu ... | Hardwood lumber sizes (oak, maple, walnu ... |
| Nominal dimensions | Actual sizes in inches | Measurements in milliliters | Nominal sizes | Surfaced 1 side (in/mm) |
| 1 x 2 | 3/4 x 1 1/2 | 19 x 38 | 1/2 | 3/8 (9.5) |
| 1 x 3 | 3/4 x 2 1/2 | 19 x 64 | 5/8 | 1/2 (12.7) |
| 1 x 4 | 3/4 x 3 1/2 | 19 x 89 | 3/4 | 5/8 (15.9) |
What is the difference between nominal and dimensional lumber?
Here are three terms to keep in mind as you read this article:
- Dimensional lumber: Lumber that is cut and sold at a specific width and depth. ...
- Nominal size: Refers to the name of the lumber size before planing (ie: 1×2 or 2×4).
- Actual size: Refers to the actual dimensions of the lumber after planing and surfacing the lumber.
What are the true dimensions of lumber?
Lumber Dimensions. 2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5x3.5 size.
What is the actual size of 2x4 lumber?
Lumber manufacturers typically cut a tree into the various standard types of dimensional lumber very shortly after the tree is felled. At this point, the 2 x 4 is actually 2 inches x 4 inches, a 2 x 10 is actually 2 inches x 10 inches, etc.
What is the actual size of dimensional lumber?
Dimensional Lumber. Nominal Size. Actual Size. 1×2. 3/4" × 1-1/2". 1×3. 3/4" × 2-1/2". ...
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What is the nominal length of a 2x4?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension LumberNominal SizeActual Size2 x 41 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38 x 89 mm)2 x 61 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)2 x 81 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (38 x 184 mm)2 x 101 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm)14 more rows•Mar 27, 2020
Why does lumber have nominal dimensions?
The "nominal" cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). The nominal measurement is made before the lumber is surfaced.
What are the nominal sizes into which lumber is cut?
North American Standard 2-by LumberNOMINAL SIZE (INCHES)ACTUAL SIZE (INCHES)ACTUAL SIZE (MM)2 x 61 1/2 x 5 1/238 x 1402 x 81 1/2 x 7 1/438 x 1842 x 101 1/2 x 9 1/438 x 2352 x 121 1/2 x 11 1/438 x 2863 more rows•Oct 31, 2021
Why is a 2x4 not 2x4?
The simple reason why 2×4 is not 2 inches by 4 inches is that lumber mills trim off rough or warped surfaces of a 2×4 to give it a more polished and finished look. By planning the lumber on all four sides, the original 2×4 is now reduced to 1 ½ inches by 3 1/2 inches.
What is the difference between nominal and dimensional lumber?
Why are the nominal dimensions of lumber larger than the actual dimensions? The simple answer is the nominal measurements were derived from a board's size before it has been dried and planed smooth (surfaced) on all 4 sides. The actual measurements are the final dried and surfaced size.
Why is a 2x4 only 1.5x3 5?
The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.
What are the different sizes of lumber?
Common Dimensional Lumber SizesDimensional Lumber: Nominal Size vs. Actual SizeTwo-by-four or 2 x 41 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inchesTwo-by-six or 2 x 61 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inchesTwo-by-eight or 2 x 81 1/2 inches x 7 1/4 inchesTwo-by-ten or 2 x 101 1/2 inches x 9 1/4 inches4 more rows•Apr 5, 2022
What is the difference between nominal size and actual size?
Nominal size is the size you see printed on the side of your air filter. It stems from the actual size, which is rounded up to the nearest whole inch.
How do you read lumber dimensions?
The first number (2) refers to the thickness of the board in inches. The second number (4) refers to the width of the board in inches. The third number (8) refers to the length of the board in feet.
Why do they call it a 2 by 4?
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER: In the past, when a timber was called a 2x4 [or "two-by-four"], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. Now, most timber is milled and planed to give it a little more of a finished look, and a little more of a consistent size and profile.
Why do 2x4s have rounded edges?
2×4 have rounded edges as it's very beneficial to the wood itself and those working with it. They reduce the number of injuries like unwanted splinters during the handling and manufacturing process and also ensure that the lumber stays looking its best all throughout until the customer sees it.
When did lumber dimensions change from actual to nominal?
Early concepts called for rough lumber to be of full nominal size, often in the dry condition. After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the first national size standard in 1924. This was revised in 1926, 1928, 1939, and 1953, while still another revision is proposed for adoption in 1964.
What is dimension lumber?
The term dimension lumber is used with softwood species (such as pine or fir) that are used in the building trades for framing and other carpentry uses. The reasons why the nominal dimension of this lumber (what the lumber is called) is larger than the actual dimensions involves historical practices in the lumber industry.
How big is a 5 1/2 x 5 12 inch board?
5 1/2 x 5 12 inches (140 x 140 mm) Shrinkage is more pronounced laterally (across the grain) than it is longitudinally (with the grain), so a board sold as an 8-foot 2 x 4 is generally very close to the full 8 feet in length.
How many cubic inches is a board foot?
Instead, suppliers generally sell hardwoods in a unit of volume known as the board foot. One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. In other words, a board that is 1 inch thick, and 12 inches wide and long contains one board foot of hardwood lumber.
How thick is 5/4 board?
Each quarter refers to 1/4 inch of thickness, meaning that a 5/4 board is roughly 1 1/4 inches thick. If your project calls for a piece that is exactly 1 inch thick, you'll want to purchase a 5/4 board and mill it down to the proper size using a jointer/planer.
What is the grade of plywood?
Plywood is graded so that each face receives a grade of A, B, C, or D , with A representing the smoothest sanded finish. For example, AA plywood has a furniture-grade finish on both sides, while BC plywood will be graded B on one side and C on the other. Read More.
Is the nominal measurement the same as the actual measurement?
If you are new to buying softwood and hardwood lumber for craft projects or home improvement work, one of the first things you notice is that the dimensions by which the wood is sold (called the nominal measurements) are not the same as the actual measurements.
What is nominal lumber?
Nominal lumber refers to the name of the dimension. The nominal measurements are the board’s size before it has been planed smooth on all four sides. After it has been planed, smoothed and kiln dried, the board will come in at a slightly smaller size which is measured as the actual lumber size. For example, common measurements, like 2×4, are simply ...
What is dimension lumber?
Dimensional lumber: Lumber that is cut and sold at a specific width and depth. These are the 2x4s, 1x2s and the like that are sold at lumberyards and big box home improvement stores.
What is the actual size of a 2x4?
In reality, a 2×4 actual size measures 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches.
Is hardwood lumber sold in quarters?
Hardwoods are rarely sold in standard dimensions, like softwoods, but are sold in board foot or in quarters. Softwood Lumber Dimensions: Softwood lumber is measured in a number of different standard sizes. There are so many different specifics to mention, but let’s stick to the basics for now. If all of this is still a little muddy, don’t worry! ...
What is dimension lumber?
Dimension lumber is lumber cut and finished S4S, (surfaced four sides) and is available in standardized sizes. Framing of buildings commonly uses the construction lumber and that is where the name framing or Dimensional lumber comes from.
How thick is a piece of lumber?
Technically, you can define dimension lumber as sawed softwood lumber from 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 centimeters) thick and from 4 to 12 inches (10.2 to 30.5 centimeters) wide. The length of dimension lumber can range from 6 to 24 feet. The Nominal and standard sizes of lumber can be found in the Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-20 American Softwood ...
What is nominal size?
Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes. The actual sizes are sizes after drying and surfacing the rough green lumber on all four sides. The nominal size is the standard terminology and is applicable when for buying, selling, and specifying softwood lumber.
What is the difference between the first and second dimensions of lumber?
The first dimensions are its nominal ones, the second measurements are its actual or minimum dressed sizes. The reason for the differences is because lumber sizes are traditionally given in their nominal size. This is a well-established industry practice.
What is the width of 2x6 lumber?
The most commonly available dimension lumber sizes are 2×4 through 2×12. The 2×4’s and 2×6’s are ½” less than nominal in width and the 2×8, 2×10’s and 2×12’s are ¾ of an inch less than nominal.
How thick is a 2x4?
However, after drying and surfacing, the boards became smaller, approaching the now standard 2×4 dimensions of 1 ½ x 3 ½ inches. Green southern pine lumber shrinks in width and thickness as it dries. Surfacing removes up to an additional ¼ ...
What is Southern Pine Use Guide?
The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) publishes a comprehensive pamphlet, “The Southern Pine Use Guide,”. This pamphlet also lists nominal and standard sizes for all Southern Pine products. It also features the design values, span tables, and grade descriptions.
