What Is The Measurement Of A 2x4

Re manufactured lumber is the result of secondary or tertiary processingcutting of previously milled lumber.

What is the measurement of a 2x4. At this point the 2 x 4 is actually 2 inches x 4 inches a 2 x 10 is actually 2 inches x 10 inches etc. The tables below provide both the nominal and actual sizes so many common north american lumber sizes. Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length width and depth. Because a nominal 2x4 board is really 1 12 inches by 3 12 inches.

The extended answer as to why theyre called 2x4s is like was mentioned earlier in the times before plywood sheeting the dimensions were truly 2 x 4. Which means for example three 2x4 boards laid side by side will not measure a foot across. Lumber manufacturers typically cut a tree into the various standard types of dimensional lumber very shortly after the tree is felled. This chart shows the nominal in name only and corresponding actual real dimensions of common wood sizes like 24 dimensions and 14 lumber.

2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. We show you the quick translation to actual numbers including 2x4. Now 2x4s have changed dimension to accomodate the additional 12 of plywood. In fact 2x4s are never 2x4s these days.

Then the edges are surfaced planed reducing the actual size to 1 12 in. However there is a difference between the nominal size what the lumber is referred to and the actual size. Specifically it is lumber cut for industrial or wood packaging use. When the board is first rough sawn from the log it is a true 2x4 but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 15x35 size.

Lumber is cut by ripsaw or resaw to create dimensions that are not usually processed by a primary sawmill.