QA

Question: How To Read Wood Measurements

Lumber sized according to “Quarters” reflects the number of quarters of an inch thick the lumber is. To figure the thickness of a board referenced in “quarters” sizes, simply divide the second number (4) into the first number. The second number (4) means “quarters of an inch”, or “quarters”.

What does 2x4x8 mean?

The 2 tells us the thickness of the board in inches, the 4 is the width of the board in inches and the 8 is the length of the board in feet.

How are wood dimensions read?

Board feet is a measurement based on volume. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood. A board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long (1 × 12 × 12) equals 144 cubic inches or 1 board foot. Hardwoods are also typically sold by the quarter.

How do you measure a 2×4 wood?

Because of this extra milling, a 2×4 no longer measures a full 2 inches by four inches. Instead, a 2×4 is really only 1 1/2″ by 3 1/2″. The same is true of pine. A 1×6, for example, actually measures 3/4″ x 5 1/2″.

How wide is a 1×10?

1x Board Sizes The larger 1x boards (1×8, 1×10, etc.) lose 3/4 inch in width. That means a 1×10 is actually 3/4 inch in thickness by 9 1/4 inches.

What does nominal mean in lumber?

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.

What is the actual size of a 1×8?

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber Nominal Size Actual Size 1 x 6 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches (19 x 140 mm) 1 x 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches (19 x 184 mm) 1 x 10 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches (19 x 235 mm) 1 x 12 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches (19 x 286 mm).

How do you read plywood measurements?

Standard Widths and Lengths The most common plywood sheet dimension, 4 feet by 8 feet, translates to the metric dimensions of 1,219 by 2,438 millimeters. Hardwood plywood comes also in abbreviated sheets measuring 2 by 2, 2 by 4, and 4 by 4 feet, while utility-grade plywood comes in longer 4-by-10-foot sheets.

What is a 2×4 in metric?

Thanks, David, for the A2A. A 2×4″ timber (“stud”) in the US is the original dimension before planing — when sold, it is 1/4″ less on each side, making it 1–1/2″ x 3–1/2″. In metric countries, this is sold as a 38 mm x 89 mm timber, literally the same dimension (to the nearest mm).

How do you read lumber prices?

The price is determined by the length of the material being purchased. A 12′ long hardwood board priced at $. 20 per lineal inch costs . 20 x 12 = $2.40.

What lengths do 4×2 come in?

4×2 Timber lengths 3.6 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 4.8 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 5.4 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 6.0 metres x 100mm x 47mm.

What is the exact measurement of a 2×4?

A piece of surfaced (sanded smooth) 2×4 lumber actually measures 1½ inches thick and 3½ inches wide. In rough-cut condition, a 2×4 is slightly less than 2 inches thick and approximately 4 inches wide. When wood is milled from a rough to a smooth surface, it loses about ¼-inch from each of its four sides.

What are the measurements of a 4×4?

In North America, the lumber industry defines standard wood post sizes as 4×4 or 6×6. The outside dimensions of the standard 4×4 measure 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, and the outside dimensions of the standard 6×6 measure 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″.

What does a 2×12 actually measure?

Common Lumber Dimensions Nominal Size Actual Size 2×8 1-1/2″ x 7-1/4″ 2×10 1-1/2″ x 9-1/4″ 2×12 1-1/2″ x 11-1/4″ 4×4 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″.

What is the actual width of a 2×8 board?

Lumber Dimensions: Nominal vs. Actual Nominal Size Actual Size 2×4 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ 2×6 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ 2×8 1-1/2″ x 7-1/4″ 2×10 1-1/2″ x 9-1/4″.

What lengths do 2×10 come in?

Floor Joists Floor framing requires 2-by-8, 2-by-10 or larger dimensional lumber. Normally, these are available in 8- to 16-foot stock lengths.

Why is a 2X4 called a 2X4?

The ubiquitous lumber product known as the 2×4 does not, in fact, measure two inches thick by four inches wide. The naming of this building material is the result of compromise between forestry technology, species’ properties, forest composition, transportation efficiency, construction speed, and price competition.

Why is it called 5 4 board?

Quarters refer to the thickness of rough-sawn lumber measured in ¼-inch increments. Instead of reading it as a fraction, it should be read as a number of quarters: 5/4 is five quarters, 4/4 is four quarters, etc.

Why is lumber smaller than the size it says?

Typically, that rough cut is smaller than the nominal dimensions because modern technology makes it possible to use the logs more efficiently. For example, a “2×4” board historically started out as a green, rough board actually 2 by 4 inches (51 mm × 102 mm).

How long are 1×8 boards?

x 96 in.; Actual 0.75 in. x 7.25 in.

How tall is a 1×8 board?

Our Boards come in the following dimensions with the common size listed first, followed by the actual size in the parenthesis. 1×2 [1-1/2″], 1×3 [2-1/2″], 1×4 [3-1/2″], 1×6 [5-1/2″], 1×8 [7-1/4″], 1×10 [9-1/4″], 1×12 [11-1/4″].

What size is 4×2 timber in MM?

4×2 Rough Sawn Timber – 44mm x 95mm.