Standard American Softwood Lumber Dimensions
| Nominal Dimensions (US – Inches) | Actual Dimensions (US – Inches) | Actual Dimensions (Metric) |
| 1 inch x 2 inch | 3/4 inch x 1-1/2 inch | 19 mm x 38 mm |
| 1″ x 3″ | 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ | 19 x 64 mm |
| 1″ x 4″ | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ | 19 x 89 mm |
| 1″ x 5″ | 3/4″ x 4-1/2″ | 19 x 114 mm |
| Nominal Size | Actual Size |
|---|---|
| 2×12 | 1-1/2" × 11-1/4" |
| 4×4 | 3-1/2" × 3-1/2" |
| 4×6 | 3-1/2" × 5-1/2" |
| 6×6 | 5-1/2" × 5-1/2" |
What are the standard sizes of lumber?
What Are Standard Lumber Sizes?
- History. Early American builders had ready sources of lumber that they could cut to any size they needed. ...
- Nominal and Actual Thickness. Prior to the 1963 modifications, the actual thickness of a surfaced 1-inch board was 25/32 inches, and before 1929, it was 13/16 inches.
- Construction-Grade Lumber. ...
- Exceptions. ...
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 size of a 2x12 lumber?
2 x 12: 1.5 x 11.25 : 4.10: 2 x 14: 1.5 x 13.25: 4.83: 3 x 3: 2.5 x 2.5: 1.52: 3 x 4: 2.5 x 3.5: ...
What is the price of a 2x4 lumber?
Lumber - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on December of 2021. Lumber is expected to trade at 908.79 USD/1000 board feet by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 1139.19 in 12 months time. 1Y.
How wide is a 1 by 12?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension LumberNominal SizeActual Size1 x 83/4 x 7 1/4 inches (19 x 184 mm)1 x 103/4 x 9 1/4 inches (19 x 235 mm)1 x 123/4 x 11 1/4 inches (19 x 286 mm)2 x 21 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches (38 x 38 mm)14 more rows•Mar 27, 2020
What are the different sizes of wood?
Dimensional lumber and studs are 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 2-inches to 4-inches wide. Structural joists and planks are 2-inches to 4-inches thick and 6-inches wide. Beams and stringers are at least 5-inches wide and 2-inches thick. Posts and timbers are usually 5-inch x 5-inch boards.
Is a 2x6 really 2x6?
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. The larger 2x boards (2x8, 2x10, etc.) lose 3/4 inch in width.
What are the dimensions of a 2 by 4?
1½" × 3½"Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Size Chart for Softwoods*Nominal Depth x LengthActual Depth x Length2×41½" × 3½"2×61½" × 5½"2×81½" × 7¼"2×101½" × 9¼"13 more rows•Nov 8, 2018
What are nominal lumber sizes?
Lumber sizes are usually given in "nominal" measurements. The nominal measurements are a board's size before it has been planed smooth (surfaced) on all 4 sides. The actual measurements are the final size. If your project calls for precise measurements, be sure to check your lumber before purchasing.
Why do they call deck boards 5 4?
There are several differences between these two wooden boards, however, the main difference is that they are different sizes. While they are both 5.5 inches wide, a 5/4 board is 1 inch thick, whereas a 2×6 board is 1.5 inches thick.
Are most homes built with 2x4 or 2x6?
Modern conventional home building normally makes use of 2x4 lumber (top line above, second from left) in constructing exterior walls. But 2x6 framing, which is a little more than 1.5 times wider, is a common upgrade and is required by some local building codes.
Is 2x6 framing stronger than 2x4?
The total bearing area of three 2x4s is 15 3/4 square inches; two 2x6s have a bearing area of 16 square inches. In bending, however, such as from a wind load, a 2x6 wall is considerably stronger.
Why isn't a 2x4 actually 2x4?
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. Because of this extra milling, a 2x4 no longer measures a full 2 inches by four inches. Instead, a 2x4 is really only 1 1/2" by 3 1/2".
When did 2x4 stop being 2x4?
Size standards, maximum moisture content, and nomenclature were agreed upon only as recently as 1964. The nominal 2x4 thus became the actual 1½ x 3½, imperceptibly, a fraction of an inch at a time.
Is wood 2x4 or 4x2?
2x4 and 4x2 are the same thing, with both terms in widespread use.
What is the longest 2x4 you can buy?
DimensionsActual Product Length (ft.)20 ft1.5 inActual Product Width (in.)3.5 in2x4Nominal Product Length (ft.)20 ft2 inNominal Product Width (in.)4 in
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! ...
Can you bring a copy of your woodworking plans?
Generally, any associate at a lumberyard or home improvement store will have a full understanding of the individual nuances between measurements and the different types of lumber. You can even bring a copy of your woodworking plans and measurements, and they will guide you in the right direction.
What is the measurement of lumber in milliliters?
Measurements in milliliters determine lumber sizes in metric system. For the hardwood lumber thickness of boards determine for standardization purpose. Width, length and thickness of lumber are not only factors of price determination.
What size is 2x6 lumber?
Some 2x4s and 2x6s sold as precut 92 5/8” long option what is a standard length of wall studs. Lumber types. Depending on wood species there are softwood lumber and hardwood lumber.
What is hardwood board used for?
Hardwood boards widely used for building decorative wooded elements by carpenters while finishing interior of custom homes, or as a higher quality and durability decking option. Lumber dimensions chart.
How much does a 2x4 stud weigh?
Wood species will determine the weight at a first place. Pine 2x4 stud with actual dimensions 1.5” x 3.5” x 96” will weigh about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of about 1.3 lb per each foot. The weight will proportionally increase or decrease depending on actual lumber measurements. Hardwood lumber is typically heavier.
How long is lumber?
Typical length of lumber. Most lumber for residential construction comes from 8 feet (244 centimeters) to 16 ft. (488 cm) long with 24” (71 mm) increment. But typically 8’, 10’ and 12’ are common length. Some lumber might be sold in odd sizes such as 7 or 9 feet, but it is rare and might be available just from certain lumber retailers.
What is green lumber?
Green lumber is any lumber whose moisture content is greater than 19%.W hen purchased, rough lumber can’t less than 1/8″ thicker or wider than the actual size specified, except that 20% of a shipment can be up to 2/32″ thicker or wider. That’s per the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20-05, which BTW is a voluntary product standard.
Why is 2x4 less than 2 inches?
Drying the lumber led to shrinkage, which was the first cause of a 2 x 4 being less than (ahem!) 2 inches by 4 inches. Competition and the demands of consumers led from rough sawn lumber to desire for surface planing the lumber, which (literally) shaved a bit more off that 2 inches by 4 inches. The good news is lumber became easier ...
Softwood Lumber Dimensions
Softwood lumber is generally used for framing walls and floors. In the United States, softwood lumber is governed by the National Institute of Standards American Softwood Lumber Standard (PS 20).
Softwood Lumber Lengths
Softwood lumber comes in a number of standard lengths as listed in the table below.
Hardwood Lumber Dimensions
Hardwood lumber is sized based on how many sides are surfaced. Surfaced refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks.
Glue Laminated Lumber Dimensions
The following table comes from the American Institute of Timber Construction's Standard Specification for Structural Glued Laminated Timber of Hardwood Species publication.