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The typical nominal dimensions for wood, such as 2 x 4, refer to the thickness and the width of the wood. If a third number is added onto the nominal dimensions, such as 2 x 4 x 96, it indicates the length of the wood. Different types of wood are sold according to different types of measurements.
Standard sizes for dimensional lumber range from 2″ x 4″ to 2″ x 12″. However, sizing is nominal, and the actual sizes of the lumber are typically 1/2″ to 3/4″ smaller.
2x4 and 2x6 boards lose 1/2 inch in thickness and 1/2 inch in width before leaving the mill. That means a 2 x 4 board is actually 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. The larger 2x boards (2x8, 2x10, etc.) lose 3/4 inch in width.
The table below provides some common North American Lumber nominal sizes and their equivalent actual size. For example, 1x8 actual size is 3/4" x 7-1/4", and 2 x 12 actual size is 1-1/2" x 11-1/4", and 2x 10 actual size is 1-1/2" x 9-1/4".
Nominal Size Lumber: nominal size lumber is usually 2×4 or 2×6 and has an actual measurement of 3/4 inch by 4 1/2 inches (the height does not include the thickness). Actual Size Lumber: actual size lumber has an actual measurement of 1-1/2 inch by 6 inches.
Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length, width, and depth. However, there is a difference between the nominal size (what the lumber is referred to) and the actual size. The tables below provide both the nominal and actual lumber dimensions for many common North American lumber sizes.
The actual size of a 2×6 is 1 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches. When you use a woodworker’s tape measure to size up the 2×6 lumber piece you brought from a lumber yard or hardware store, you will notice that the dimensions do not match the ones the piece was sold at, i.e., 2×6.