The actual measurements are the final size. The nominal measurements are a board's size before it has been planed smooth (surfaced) on all 4 sides. Actual lumber is sawn, planed, and smoothed, and it’s generally made ready for many applications. Back in the olden days of cutting trees into framing lumber, a 2×4 did actually measure more or less two inches by four inches. Actual lumber sizes are pieces of lumber that are cut to standard sizes and refers to depth and width, but not length. If boards will be kiln dried after milling, they start their lives sized 1.62 in. In reality, a 2×4 actual size measures 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. Then, the edges are surfaced (planed), reducing the actual size to 1-1/2 in. actual lumber dimensions: Why a 2' × 4' is not always a 2' × 4' Lumber sizes are usually given in 'nominal' measurements. Because a nominal 2x4 board is really 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. Either way, as of 1960 the finished size of a 2×4 was 1 5/8 x 3 3/4.How big is a 4×4 post?The lumber industry defines standard wood post sizes as 4×4 or 6×6. Common Lumber Dimensions Common Lumber Dimensions Nominal vs.
The rough cut size of a 2×4 is 2″ by 4″, but after the wood is dried, and planed to make it smooth it is smaller. Likewise, people ask, what is a 2×4 in metric? Actually, the difference is between the rough cut (At the lumbermill) and the finished, or dressed, size. Only use metric dimensions when referencing actual dimensions, such as 8 feet 6 inches, 16 inches on center, etc.
The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). Dimensional lumber is a term used for lumber that is finished - planed and cut - to a. 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. Commercial softwood lumber dimension chart - nominal and actual sizes. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber Nominal Size Actual Size 1 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 inches (19 x 64 mm) 1 x 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches (19 x 89 mm) 1 x 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches (19 x 114 mm) 1 x 6 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches (19 x 140 mm) Secondly, why is lumber not the actual size? Maybe you’ve noticed that lumber sizes are often misleading. And it’s not just a 2x4: A 1x4 is actually inches by 3- inches a 4x4 is actually 3- inches by 3- inches. Many of you know this, but why is this a thing You don’t go to Subway and pay for a 5-footlong expecting to get 11 inches (although many of you will argue this is the case). Correspondingly, what are the real dimensions of a 1×4 ? Nominal vs. A 2x4 is actually 3- inches by 1- inches. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2×4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1. 2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. If your project calls for precise measurements, be sure to check your lumber before purchasing.