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The typical nominal dimensions for wood, such as 2 x 4, refer to the thickness and the width of the wood. If a third number is added onto the nominal dimensions, such as 2 x 4 x 96, it indicates the length of the wood. Different types of wood are sold according to different types of measurements.
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.
The Actual Size of a 2×4. For example, a 2×4 board is actually 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″. The board is advertised and sold using nominal dimensions, which are a bit larger than the actual dimensions. Actual Lumber Size Table. The table below shows the actual size versus the nominal size of various dimensional lumber products.
2x Board Sizes 2x4 and 2x6 boards lose 1/2 inch in thickness and 1/2 inch in width before leaving the mill. That means a 2 x 4 board is actually 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches.
Nominal refers to the lumber’s original dimensions before trimmed while actual refers to its approximate true dimensions. That’s because lumber boards are rough cut at the sawmill and after they’ve dried and planed smooth, they’re smaller. So, 2-in x 4-in lumber is not actually 2 inches by 4 inches.
Here's everything you need to know about 2x4 lumber! What are the actual dimensions of a 2x4, the best saw to cut 2 by 4 wood, what screws to use in a 2x4 and project ideas to get you started!
The most common size of dimensional lumber is the two-by-four (2x4), which measures 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Four-by-fours (4x4) are typically used as fence posts.
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.
The chart shows the difference between nominal and actual lumber sizes for dimensioned lumber, rough sawn lumber, dimensioned rough sawn lumber, rough sawn dimensions, square stock dimensions, round stock dimensions, quarter-sawn dimensions, and kiln-dried.
Nominal dimensions may seem misleading but are common. Measure your area rug and it’s likely slightly smaller than its listed size. Home and apartment listings might advertise a 10’x12′ bedroom, but it may have been rounded up a few inches to create a clean number. Softwood Lumber.