Nominal vs. Reality

Wood Dimensions

Measurements of Dimension Lumber

Name Size (in) Size (mm)
1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 19 x 38
1 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 19 x 64
1 x 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 19 x 89
1 x 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 19 x 114
1x 6 3/4 x 5 1/2 19 x 140
1 x 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 19 x 184
1 x 10 3/4 x 9 1/4 19 x 235
1 x 12 3/4 x 11 1/4 19 x 286
2 x 2 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 38 x 38
2 x 3 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 38 x 64
2 x 4 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 38 x 89
2 x 6 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 38 x 140
2 x 8 1 1/2 x 7 1/4 38 x184
2 x 10 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 38 x235
2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 38 x 286
4 x 4 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 89 x 89
4 x 6 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 89 x 140
6 x 6 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 140 x 140
Wood sizes are lies. The names are not the actual sizes.
Source: The Spruce Crafts

Hardwood Sizing

Name Surfaced 1 side (“S1S”) Surfaced 2 sides (“S2S”)
1/2 inch 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) 5 1/16 inch (7.9 mm)
5/8 inch 1/2 inch (13 mm) 7/16 inch (11 mm)
3/4 inch 5/8 inch (16 mm) 9/16 inch (14 mm)
1 inch (or 4 quarters) 7/8 inch (22 mm) 13/16 inch (21 mm)
1 1/4 inches (or 5 quarters) 1 1/8 inches (29 mm) 1 1/6 inches (27 mm)
1 1/2 inches (or 6 quarters) 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) 1 5/16 inches 33 mm
2 inches (or 8 quarters) 1 13/16 inches (46 mm) 1 3/4 inches (44 mm)
3 inches (or 12 quarters) 2 13/16 inches (71 mm) 2 3/4 inches (70 mm)
4 inches (or 16 quarters) 3 13/16 inches (97 mm) 3 3/4 inches (95 mm)
Hardwood sizes are bigger lies.
Source: The Spruce Crafts

Plywood

Name Actual dimensions
1/4 inch 7/32 (5 mm)
1/2 inch 15/32 (12 mm)
3/4 inch 23/32 (18 mm)
Plywood dimensions are also off.
Source: The Spruce Crafts