What is the actual size of a 2×10 board?

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber

Nominal Size Actual Size
2 x 6 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)
2 x 8 1 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (38 x 184 mm)
2 x 10 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm)
2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches (38 x 286 mm)

What are the dimensions of a 2 by 6?





Common Dimensional Lumber Sizes

Dimensional Lumber: Nominal Size vs. Actual Size
Nominal Size Actual Size
Two-by-four or 2 x 4 1 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches
Two-by-six or 2 x 6 1 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches
Two-by-eight or 2 x 8 1 1/2 inches x 7 1/4 inches

What does nominal size mean in lumber?

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. If your project calls for precise measurements, be sure to check your lumber before purchasing.

What is the difference between nominal size and actual size?

What are nominal sizes? Nominal size is the size you see printed on the side of your air filter. It stems from the actual size, which is rounded up to the nearest whole inch.

What’s the actual size of a 2 by 4?

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 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″.

What is the meaning of nominal size?





In manufacturing, a nominal size or trade size is a size “in name only” used 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.

What is the actual width of a 5 4 deck board?

WeatherShield 5/4 in. x 6 in. x 16 ft. Standard Pressure-Treated Decking Board 128966.

Why are lumber nominal and actual sizes different?

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.

How do you read a wood size?

The first number (2) refers to the thickness of the board in inches. The second number (4) refers to the width of the board in inches. The third number (8) refers to the length of the board in feet.

What is the difference between nominal and rough lumber?



Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes, the actual sizes are the size of the board after the rough green lumber has been dried and surfaced smooth on all four sides. The nominal size is the accepted standard terminology used for buying, selling, and specifying softwood lumber.

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 a nominal dimension in construction?

Nominal Dimensions
Nominal measurements traditionally refer to the size of the board when it was first rough cut, before it was dried and planed (smoothed). This is the measurement of the green board before any shrinkage has occurred.

What does nominal mean in construction?



Read on to find out more about this design and construction industry term. A “nominal” measurement means that the size listed on the item is not the actual size of the item.

What is nominal size example?

The measurement used in naming a component, not necessarily its actual size when finished or milled. The size of timber is usually given in nominal size, and the actual size is slightly smaller, for example, a 2×4 actually measures 1 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches.

What is a 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.

What is the actual thickness of 1/4 inch plywood?

Typically, the actual thickness of plywood is 1/32 inch less than the nominal thickness.
Thickness in millimeters.

Thickness (inch) Thickness (milimeter)
1/8” 3.2mm
1/4” 6.4mm
5/16” 8mm
3/8” 9.5mm

How do you calculate nominal thickness?



The nominal wall thickness should be determined such that(11.119)1.3PpPC+εbεB≤gp,where 1.3 is the recommended safety factor on collapse, BB is the bending strain of buckling failure due to pure bending, and g is an imperfection parameter defined below.