WOOD SIZES EXPLAINED, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Confused about all the wood sizing available in stores? Let's make sense of it all...

01

What are wood sizes?

You will see boards with numbers like 1x4 (spoken as one by four) First number = thickness of the board in inches Second number = width of the board in inches

You might also encounter the naming of the board as 1 x 4 x 8. Third number = the length of the board in feet. The most common is 8 feet, but 6 feet, 10 feet, and 12 feet are also available.

02

What is dimensional lumber?

Dimensional lumber is lumber that has been cut to a specific size (and shape) for use in a construction project. Cut to standard sizes and grades. Typically identified by its nominal size.

03

Nominal dimensions

Nominal dimensions are the size of the board when it is first cut from a tree

04

Actual dimensions

Actual dimension is the size of the wood once it is dried (either air-dried or kiln-dried) and planed

05

Hardwoods

There are two types of identifiers you will see with hardwood lumber: The thickness denoted by 4/4, 6/4, 8/4, etc. The number of planed sides denoted by S1S, S2S, etc.

06

What is a board foot?

A board foot is a unit of measurement based on the volume of the wood. The base unit for calculation is a board that is 1″ x 12″ x 12″. 1 x 12 x12 = 144 cubic inches or 1 board foot.

07

Plywood Dimensions

Plywood sheets are available in thicknesses ranging from ⅛″ all the way to 1″. ⅛″, ½″, and ¾″ are the most commonly available.

For more on wood sizes and to download the size chart click the link below!