Nominal vs. actual lumber dimensions: 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.
What is the depth of a 2×12?
Nominal vs. Actual
| 2x Lumber | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2×12 | 1-1/2 x 11-1/4 |
What is the difference between nominal and dimensional lumber?
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 sizes so many common North American lumber sizes.
When did lumber dimensions change from actual to nominal?
Early concepts called for rough lumber to be of full nominal size, often in the dry condition. After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the first national size standard in 1924. This was revised in 1926, 1928, 1939, and 1953, while still another revision is proposed for adoption in 1964.
What is nominal thickness?
Nominal thickness is “in name only” used solely for identification. The nominal size may not match any dimension of the product, but within the domain of that product. The nominal size may correspond to a large number of highly standardized dimensions and tolerances.
Why does lumber have nominal dimensions?
The “nominal” cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). The nominal measurement is made before the lumber is surfaced.
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″ |
Why are the actual dimensions of lumber different from the nominal dimensions?
How do you calculate nominal size?
The nominal thickness of hardwood lumber is based on the quarter scale, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, etc. The rough size can be found by dividing the numerator by the denominator. For example, 8/4 lumber is roughly 2” thick (8 divided by 4 equals 2). But once again, the quarter-scale is the nominal thickness.
Why is lumber sold in nominal sizes?
Why 2×4 is not 2×4?
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER: In the past, when a timber was called a 2×4 [or “two-by-four”], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. 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.
What is the actual dimension of a 2 x 12?
– 2 x 12 is one and one-half by eleven and one-fourth inches or 38 millimeters by 286 millimeters. – 1 x 12 is three-fourths by eleven and one-fourth inches or 19 millimeters by 286 millimeters.
What is the actual size of lumber?
At the same time, length of lumber normally does not have nominal dimensions and only actual size determine. 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.
What are the standard lengths for dimensional lumber?
Dimension lumber , also known as dimensional lumber, is the common term for lumber cut to standard width and depth, and it is measured by inches. Common sizes are 2X4’s, 2X6’s, and 4×4’s. Dimension lumber is often called by these names, two by fours, two by sixes, etc. and it is not length specific.
What are nominal dimensions?
Nominal Dimensions. These numbers are the filter size by height, width, and thickness. A filter that has the number 16 x 25 x 1 would be read as sixteen-by-twenty-five-by-one. These are the nominal measurements of the filter, which are measured in inches. The first two numbers are the length of the sides of the filter.
