Nominal Measurement Actual (inches) Actual (mm)
------------------- --------------- -----------
2 x 4 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 38 x 89
2 x 6 1-1/2 x 5-1/2 38 x 140
2 x 8 1-1/2 x 7-1/4 38 x 184
2 x 10 1-1/2 x 9-1/4 38 x 235
What is a 2x4 actual dimension?
Because a nominal 2x4 board is really 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. In fact, 2x4s are never 2x4s these days. A nominal 2x4 board starts out 1.56 in. x 3.58 in. Then, the edges are surfaced (planed), reducing the actual size to 1-1/2 in.8 nov 2018
What is the actual size of a 2x4 stick of lumber?
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".
Why is a 2x4 actually 1.5x3 5?
The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.
What is the actual size of a 2 by 4?
Nominal Depth x Length Actual Depth x Length
---------------------- ---------------------
2×4 1½" × 3½"
2×6 1½" × 5½"
2×8 1½" × 7¼"
2×10 1½" × 9¼"
What does 2 by 4 inches mean?
2. That measures two inches by four inches, two feet by four feet, etc.
Why is a piece of wood called a 2 by 4?
The ubiquitous lumber product known as the 2x4 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 lumber 1/2 inch smaller?
Through the drying process, the boards naturally shrink, as moisture leaves the beams. ... Without the rough edges, what went in as a 2-by-4 planks of rough-sawn wood is now a tongue-tripping 1.5-by-3.5, having lost approximately ¼-inch on all sides to the planer and drying processes.29 jun 2018
How thick is a 1 pine board?
1x Board Sizes lose 3/4 inch in width. That means a 1x10 is actually 3/4 inch in thickness by 9 1/4 inches.
How is wood thickness measured?
Rough sawn lumber comes in "true" thicknesses as reflected by the "quarters" size. Lumber sized according to "Quarters" reflects the number of quarters of an inch thick the lumber is. ... To figure the board foot measurement of a piece of wood, multiply the length x width x thickness in inches, then divide by 144.
This pressured further compromise because thinner 2x4s were a way to compete in price with wood alternatives. 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.
When did a 2x4 become a one and a half by three and a half?
In 1964, size standards, maximum moisture content, and naming were agreed upon. The nominal 2x4 thus became the actual 1-½ x 3-½ inch board. People in the industry were able to sell “2x4s” with 34% less volume at a lower price to compete with alternatives.26 oct 2019