Dimensional lumber

Dimensional lumber is a term used for lumber that is cut to standardized width and depth specified in inches. Examples of common sizes are 2x4 (also two-by-four and other varients), 2x6, and 4x4. The length of a board is usually specified seperately from the width and depth. It is thus possible to find 2x4s that are four, eight, or twelve feet in length.

Softwood Dimensional Lumber Sizes
Nominal	Actual	Nominal	Actual
$1 \times 6$	$\begin{matrix}\frac{3}{4}\end{matrix}'' \times 5 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$	$2 \times 8$	$1 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 7 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$
$1 \times 8$	$\begin{matrix}\frac{3}{4}\end{matrix}'' \times 7 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$	$2 \times 10$	$1 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 9 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$
$1 \times 10$	$\begin{matrix}\frac{3}{4}\end{matrix}'' \times 9 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$	$2 \times 12$	$1 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 11 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$
$1 \times 12$	$\begin{matrix}\frac{3}{4}\end{matrix}'' \times 11 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{4}\end{matrix}''$	$3 \times 4$	$2 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 3 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$
$2 \times 2$	$1\begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 1 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$	$4 \times 4$	$3 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 3 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$
$2 \times 3$	$1\begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 2 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$	$4 \times 6$	$3 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 5 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$
$2 \times 4$	$1\begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 3 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$	$6 \times 6$	$5 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 5 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$
$2 \times 6$	$1\begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 5 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$	$8 \times 8$	$7 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}'' \times 7 \begin{matrix}\frac{1}{2}\end{matrix}''$

In The Americas, two-bys (2x4s, 2x6s, 2x8s, and 2x12s) are common lumber sizes used in modern construction. They are the basic building block for such common structures as balloon-frame or platform frame housing. Dimensional lumber made from softwood is typically used for construction, while hardwood boards are more commonly used for making cabinets or furniture.

The nominal size of a board varies from the actual size of the board. This is due to planing and shrinkage as the board is dried. This results in the final lumber being slightly smaller than the nominal size.

Sizes for dimensional lumber made from hardwood varies from the sizes for softwoods.

Categories: Wood