Softwood Lumber Dimensions

Overview

Engineering reference data for Softwood Lumber Dimensions in material science and properties.

Key Formulas

Stress

$\sigma = \frac{F}{A}$

Force per unit area.

Strain

$\varepsilon = \frac{\Delta L}{L_0}$

Change in length per original length.

Hooke's Law

$\sigma = E \varepsilon$

Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.

Thermal Expansion

$\Delta L = \alpha L_0 \Delta T$

Length change due to temperature.

Variables

Symbol	Description	Unit
$\sigma$	Stress	Pa
$\varepsilon$	Strain	—
$E$	Young's modulus	Pa
$\alpha$	Thermal expansion coefficient	1/°C
$\Delta T$	Temperature change	°C

Lumber Dimensions Table

Nominal to Actual Size Conversion

The following rule summarizes the standard conversion:

• For dimensions under 2 inches (51 mm): Actual ≈ Nominal - 1/4 inch
• For dimensions under 8 inches (200 mm): Actual ≈ Nominal - 1/2 inch
• For larger dimensions: Actual ≈ Nominal - 3/4 inch

Quick Unit Conversions

• Weight: $1 \ \text{lb/ft} = 1.48 \ \text{kg/m}$
• Length: $1 \ \text{in (inch)} = 25.4 \ \text{mm}$

Lumber Processing Definitions

• Rough Lumber: Sawn, trimmed, and edged. Faces are rough with saw marks.
• Surfaced Lumber (Dressed): Rough lumber that has been smoothed on one or more sides and edges by a surfacing machine.
• Worked Lumber: Surfaced lumber that has been matched and patterned.
• Dry Lumber: Defined as having less than 19% moisture content.
• Unseasoned (Green) Lumber: Lumber with more than 19% moisture content.

Interactive Charts

References

• Original Source