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Find the actual size of different types of lumber and learn why the actual size of dimensional lumber is smaller than the nominal size.
When you're shopping for wood for a project, dimensional lumber sizes can get a little confusing. The numbers given for the size of a piece of lumber when you buy it at the store are nominal lumber sizes or measurements. This number indicates the size the wood was originally cut to.
Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length, width, and depth. However, there is a difference between the nominal size (what the lumber is referred to) and the actual size. The tables below provide both the nominal and actual lumber dimensions for many common North American lumber sizes.
This chart shows the nominal (in name only) and corresponding actual (real) dimensions of common wood sizes like 2×4 dimensions and 1×4 lumber. Note: You can download and print the chart from Additional Information below.
Measure the actual width and thickness of a pine board (like a 2x4) and then look at the sign above the rack. Hmm. Something doesn't quite match up. If you can stop someone in the store to help explain the inconsistency, they'll start throwing around a few words like "nominal sizes" and "actual sizes" and "softwood lumber" and "hardwood lumber."
2 seperate printable lumber size charts to help you easily read nominal and actual lumber sizes. Nominal size vs Actual size boards.
Actual size will be smaller than listed nominal size do to loss of material when run through planer. 4/4, 4/8. etc. Actual dimensions of material given in quarters of an inch, usually rough lumber sold directly by mill. Board Foot A volume measurement of lumber, 1 board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches, to calculate multiply width in inches
Dimensional lumber has two size categories for width and thickness: nominal size and actual size. Dimensional lumber is wood lumber cut to pre-defined, standard sizes. A two-by-four (2x4) is an example of dimensional lumber.
To help you understand the relationship between nominal and actual sizes, here’s a handy chart outlining the most common dimensional lumber sizes: In addition to dimensional lumber, there are various specialty lumber products with their own sizing conventions:
Commercial Lumber Sizes Chart Table. The following data is standard reference and size data for commercially available lumber within the USA. All data is in imperial units (Inches). Mechanical Tolerance Variations of Lumber: Per. Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-05, American Softwood Lumber Standard.