When you purchase lumber from the store, you’ll notice that the actual wood dimensions are slightly smaller then what’s on the tag. For example, if you see 2” x 4” tag and you’ll measure the actual size of the wood its 1 ½” x 3 ½”. Originally, 2×4 is cut exactly as 2×4, but after the wood is dried it shrinks in size. After it’s dried, the 2×4 is then planed to the standard 1 ½” x 3 ½”. See list below of common wood sizes that are used on most of the DIY projects.
Nominal Size | Actual Size |
---|---|
1×2 | 3/4 x 1 1/2 |
1×3 | 3/4 x 2 1/2 |
1×4 | 3/4 x 3 1/2 |
1×6 | 3/4 x 5 1/2 |
1×8 | 3/4 x 7 1/4 |
1×10 | 3/4 x 9 1/4 |
1×12 | 3/4 x 11 1/4 |
2×2 | 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 |
2×3 | 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 |
2×4 | 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 |
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 |
4×4 | 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 |
4×6 | 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 |
6×6 | 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 |