Understanding Actual vs. Nominal Lumber Sizes
By CHRIS BAYLOR
The Spruce / Alex Diaz Dos
Ifyou 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 woods sold (called the nominal
measurements) are not the same as the actual measurements. Apiece of 1x 4 pine, forexample,
actually measures 3/4inch thick and 3 1/2 inch wide, while a 2 x 4 framing stud is actually about 1 1/2
inch thick and 3 1/2 inches wide.
To further confuse things, hardwood sizing standards are different than softwood standards, and
hardwoods typically sold by a unit of volume knownas the board foot, not by board dimension. Allof
this can make things rather confusing when youare buying lumber to make a projectto precise
dimensions.
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber
The term dimension lumberis used with softwood species (such as pine or fir) that are used in the
building trades or framing and other carpentry uses. The reasons why the nominaldimension of this
lumber (what the lumber is called) is larger than the actual dimensions involve historical practices in the
lumberindustry.
Originally, a2 x4 was cut as a rough green board that was exactly 2x 4 inchesin size, but by the time
the boards were dried and planed, the boards became smaller, approaching the now-standard 2x 4
dimensions of 1 1/2 x3 1/2 inchesin size. In modern lumber practices, the boards are no longer exactly
2x4 inches when first cut, but today's drying and planing methods still leave the board 1 1/2 inches
thick and 3 1/2 inches wide. The old standard of calling this boarda 2x 4 still remains, even though in
today's lumber practices, the board has neverbeen 2x 4 inchesin size.
The actual vs. nominal sizes for common sizes of dimension lumber:
Temnry CoE
1x2 3/4 x 11/2 inches (19 x 38 mm)
1x3 3/4x21/2 inches (19 x 64mm)
1x4 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches (19 x 89 mm)
1x5 3/4 x 41/2 inches (19 x 114 mm)
1x6 3/4 x5 1/2 inches (19 x 140 mm)
1x8 3/4x7 1/4 inches (19 x 184 mm)
1x10 3/4 x9 1/4 inches (19 x 235 mm)
1x12 3/4 x11 1/4 inches (19 x 286 mm)
2x2 1.1/2 x1 1/2 inches (38 x 38 mm)
2x3 11/2.x2 1/2 inches (38 x 64 mm)
2x4 1.1/2x3 1/2 inches (38 x 89 mm)
2x6 11/2x5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)
2x8 1.1/2x7 1/4 inches (38 x 184 mm)
2x10 11/2 x9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm)
2x12 1.1/2 x11 1/4 inches (38x 286 mm)
axa 3/23 1/2 inches (89 x89 mm)4x6 3 1/2 x5 1/2 inches (89 x 140 mm)
6x6 5 1/2 x5 12 inches (140 x140 mm)
Shrinkage is more pronounced laterally (across the grain) than it is longitudinally (with the grain), soa
board sold as an 8-foot2 x4 is generally very close to the full 8 feetin length.
Hardwood Sizing
The sizing standards used for hardwood lumber (such as oak, maple, birch, and mahogany) of the type
Used in fine cabinetry and furniture is a bit more confusing. Not only are different measurement
standards used, but the sizing also depends on whetherthe stockis surfaced on one side (S15) or on two
sides (S28).
(eminent sis By
1/2 inch, 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) 5/16 inch (7.9 mm)
5/8 inch 41/2 inch (13 mm) 7/46 inch (11 mm)
3/4 inch 5/8 inch (16 mm) 9/16 inch (14 mm)
(4/4) inch 7/8 inch (22 mm) 13/16 inch (21. mm)
1.1/4 (5/4) inches 1.1/8 inches (29 mm) 11/6 inches (27 mm)
11/2 (6/4)inches: 13/8 inches (35 mm) 15/16 inches (33 mm)
2 (8/4) inches 1.13/16 inches (46 mm) 13/4 inches (44 mm)
3 (12/4) inches 2.13/16 inches (71 mm) 23/4inches(70 mm)
4 (16/4) inches 3 13/16 inches (97 mm) 3 3/4 inches (95mm)
Hardwoodsare rarely sold in standard dimensions the way softwoodsare. Instead, suppliers generally
sell hardwoods in a unit of volume knownas the board foot. One board foot is equalto 144 cubicinches
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.
Additionally, hardwood may be sold in quarters. Each quarterrefersto 1/4 inch of thickness, meaning
that a 5/4 board is roughly 1 1/4 inches thick. f your project calls for a piece thatis exactly 1 inch thick,
you'll want to purchase a 5/4 board and mill it downto the propersize usinga jointer/planer.
Plywood
Plywood is usually sold in 4 x 8-foot sheets. The most common nominal thicknesses of plywood are 1/2
inch and 3/4 inch, but once again the actual sizes are slightly different. A sheet of 1/2-inch plywoodis
really 15/32 inch thick, while a 3/4-inch sheet is 23/32 inch thick.
Plywood is graded so that each face receivesagrade of A, B, C, or D, with A representing the smoothest
sanded finish. For example, AA plywood hasa furniture -grade finish on both sides, while BC plywood will
be graded 8 onone side and C on the other.