A 2X8 is eight feet in length and two inches by eight inches in width and thickness. When placed on a wall it will be twice as wide as an 8-inch wide board.
If you’ve ever wondered what 2×8 actually looks like in real life, wonder no more! This handy infographic provides a visual guide to lumber sizes, so you can easily see how big (or small) 2×8 actually is.
In case you’re not familiar with the terminology, “2×8” refers to the actual size of the lumber.
The “2” indicates that the lumber is two inches thick, while the “8” refers to the width of the board. So when you see a 2×8 piece of lumber at your local hardware store, you know it’s exactly two inches thick and eight inches wide.
Now that you know what 2×8 looks like in real life, you can use this information to help you plan your next project.
For example, if you need to build a deck or fence that’s eight feet wide, then you’ll need to purchase eight 2×8 boards. And if you’re looking for something a bit smaller, then four 2×4 boards would be just right.
No matter what your next project entails, be sure to double check the dimensions before making any cuts – after all, accuracy is key when working with wood!
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Table of Contents
What Does 2X8 Mean?
In the world of construction, 2×8 refers to a piece of lumber that is 8 feet long and 2 inches thick. This is a standard size for many building projects. The “2” in 2×8 indicates the thickness of the lumber (in inches), while the “8” indicates the length (in feet).
So, what does this mean for your project? If you’re looking for lumber that is 8 feet long and 2 inches thick, you would need to purchase a 2×8. This size of lumber is often used in framing projects, as it is a strong and sturdy option.
It’s also a popular choice for flooring and other structural elements.
What is the Width of a 2 by 8?
Most lumber is sold in nominal sizes, which are different from the actual dimensions. A 2×8 is actually 1-1/2 inches by 7-1/4 inches. The width will depend on how you are using the lumber.
If you are using it as a shelf, then the width of the 2×8 will be the width of your shelf. If you are using it as a beam, then the width will be determined by how you attach it to other beams or supports.
Credit: plasticlumberyard.com
2X6 Actual Size
2X6 lumber is actually 1-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches. The reason for this is that the boards are planed (or surfaced) on both sides and the thickness is measured after the board has been planed. If you order 2X6 lumber, you will receive boards that are 1-1/2 inches thick and 5-1/2 inches wide.
1X3 Actual Size
If you’re a visual person, then you know that seeing something in person can be very different than looking at it on a screen. Even if you’re looking at an image that’s the same size as the object, it can still be difficult to gauge how big or small something actually is. This is where the 1×3 actual size rule comes in handy.
This rule simply states that if an object is photographed at a 1:3 ratio, then it will appear on your screen as if it were life-size. So, for example, if you have a photo of a person that’s 6 inches wide and 18 inches tall, then they would appear on your screen as being 2 feet tall (24 inches).
Of course, this isn’t an exact science – things can look slightly different depending on the angle of the photo and other factors – but it’s generally a good way to get a sense of scale for an image.
So next time you’re trying to figure out how big something is in a photo, remember the 1×3 actual size rule!
1X8 Actual Size
When it comes to lumber, the “1x” designation means that the board is one inch thick and the “8” indicates that the board is eight inches wide. So a 1×8 lumber board actually measures 1 inch thick by 8 inches wide. This is important to know when you’re planning a project because you need to factor in both the thickness and width of the lumber when determining how much material you need.
Now that you know what the 1×8 actual size is, you can use this information to your advantage when planning your next project. For example, if you need to cover an area that is 8 feet wide, you would need 9 boards of 1×8 lumber (since each board is 8 inches wide). And if you needed to cover an area that was 10 feet wide, you would need 13 boards of 1×8 lumber (since each board is 8 inches wide).
So keep this in mind when calculating how much lumber you need for your project.
2X4 Actual Size
In construction, the term “2×4” actually refers to the rough-sawn lumber that is used as framing lumber for walls. The actual finished dimensions of a 2×4 are 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. This is because the lumber is milled and planed down to those finished dimensions.
The nominal size of a 2×4 means that the lumber is cut to a size that is two inches by four inches before it is milled and planed into its final dimensions. So, when you are buying lumber for your project, be sure to ask for the finished dimension of the lumber, not just the nominal size.
2X2 Actual Size
Did you know that the size of a 2×2 is not actually 2×2? In fact, the size of a 2×2 is actually 1.5 x 1.5! This may come as a shock to some people, but it’s true!
The reason for this discrepancy is because the measurements of a 2×2 are taken from the width and height of the board, not from the actual size of the board. So, when you’re looking at a 2×2, keep in mind that it’s not actually 2×2!
2 X 12 Actual Size
Building a deck is a great way to add value and enjoyment to your home. But what size should you build? 2×12 lumber is actually 1-1/2 inches by 11-1/4 inches.
So when you see a 2×12 board, it’s really telling you that it’s 1-1/2 inches thick and 11-1/4 inches wide. Here are some other nominal sizes and their actual dimensions:
4×4 – 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
6×6 – 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″
8×8 – 7-1/4″ x 7-1/4″
10×10 – 9″ x 9″
Now that you know the actual dimensions of 2×12 lumber, you can start planning your project!
1X4 Actual Size
We’re often asked, “What is the actual size of a 1×4?” The answer may surprise you – it all depends on the type of wood.
A 1×4 can be any length from 3 feet to 12 feet, but the most common lengths are 8 feet and 10 feet.
The width can also vary depending on the type of wood. A nominal 1×4 board is actually 3/4″ thick and 3-1/2″ wide. But a true 1×4 is actually closer to 13/16″ thick and 4″ wide.
So why the difference? It all has to do with how lumber is milled and graded. Nominal sizes like 1×4 are used for convenience and they don’t take into account the actual thickness or width of the boards.
But when you’re buying lumber for a specific project, it’s important to know the actual dimensions so you can plan accordingly.
Here’s a quick rundown of some common lumber sizes:
Nominal Size Actual Size (Thickness x Width)
1 x 2 3/4” x 1-1/2”
1 x 4 3/4” x 3-1/2”
1 x 6 3/4” x 5-1/2”
Conclusion
In the blog post, the author discusses how they created a 2×8 size actual size print. They go into detail about how they found the dimensions of the 2×8 and created a printable version of it. They also provide links to where you can find similar prints.
