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Handy Wood Size Chart | 2005-09-22
Cedar Creek Woodshop | Rating:

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Nominal Size - Refers to the size of a piece of lumber before it is dressed and seasoned. It is used to designate a particular size piece of lumber, such as 2x4, 2x6, etc.

Actual Size - Refers to minimum acceptable size after it has been dressed and seasoned. A nominal 2x4 can have a minimum actual size of 1.5 in. x 3.5 in. When referring to a specific piece of lumber, the nominal size is used.

Size Chart For Framing Lumber

Nominal Size Actual Size

2 x 2 1 1/2 x 1 1/2

2 x 3 1 1/2 x 2 1/2

2 x 4 1 1/2 x 3 1/2

2 x 6 1 1/2 x 5 1/2

2 x 8 1 1/2 x 7 1/4

2 x 10 1 1/2 x 9 1/4

2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4

4 x 4 3 1/2 x 3 1/2

4 x 6 3 1/2 x 5 1/2

4 x 10 3 1/2 x 9 1/4

6 x 6 5 1/2 x 5 1/2

Boards

Nominal Size Actual Size

1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2

1 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/2

1 x 4 3/4 x 3 1/2

1 x 5 3/4 x 4 1/2

1 x 6 3/4 x 5 1/2

1 x 8 3/4 x 7 1/4

1 x 10 3/4 x 9 1/4

1 x 12 3/4 x 11 1/4

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DIY Gardener claims no responsibility for the information contained in the above article and cannot be held liable for any damages, deaths, dismemberments, or loss of sanity due to incorrect information or incorrect implementation. The information is presented "as-is" from the author and it is the readers total responsibility to understand the problem and solutions presented in the article.

Nominal Size	Actual Size
2 x 2	1 1/2 x 1 1/2
2 x 3	1 1/2 x 2 1/2
2 x 4	1 1/2 x 3 1/2
2 x 6	1 1/2 x 5 1/2
2 x 8	1 1/2 x 7 1/4
2 x 10	1 1/2 x 9 1/4
2 x 12	1 1/2 x 11 1/4
4 x 4	3 1/2 x 3 1/2
4 x 6	3 1/2 x 5 1/2
4 x 10	3 1/2 x 9 1/4
6 x 6	5 1/2 x 5 1/2

Nominal Size	Actual Size
1 x 2	3/4 x 1 1/2
1 x 3	3/4 x 2 1/2
1 x 4	3/4 x 3 1/2
1 x 5	3/4 x 4 1/2
1 x 6	3/4 x 5 1/2
1 x 8	3/4 x 7 1/4
1 x 10	3/4 x 9 1/4
1 x 12	3/4 x 11 1/4