Serious question, I just read that a standard 2x4 hasn't actually been 2 inches by 4 inches since the 1960s

Found this out in a lumber yard pamphlet in Spokane, it's actually 1.5x3.5 inches now. Do you think this is a helpful standardization or just confusing for new DIYers trying to plan builds?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_holly24d ago

It's super confusing at first... you cut all your math wrong. But it does make sense once you know the rough size is for the wood before it's dried and planed smooth. Everyone in the trade just uses the nominal name anyway, so you have to learn it.

tessaperry24d ago

Took me three ruined projects to finally write the real sizes on my tape measure with a sharpie. Now I just remember a 2x4 is actually one and a half by three and a half and work from there. The whole naming thing feels like a prank they play on new people. You just have to memorize the cheat sheet because the math never works with the name on the tag.

pat_murray5324d ago

Read an article that said the old rough cut sizes were based on green lumber before drying and surfacing. A 2x4 used to actually be two inches by four inches, but the process shrinks it. Now it's just a name for the smaller finished piece. You're right, you have to learn the real sizes because the names are stuck in the past. It's one of those weird trade things that makes no sense until someone explains it.

the_viola14d ago

Why do people act like this is such a big deal?