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What is a 2 by 4 in metric?

Author

Michael Henderson

Updated on February 22, 2026

What is a 2 by 4 in metric?

Actual. Metric. 2x4. 1.5” x 3.5”

Keeping this in view, what is 4x2 in metric?

This is similar to this question about metric measurements. A 4x2 would be (approx) 100mm x 50mm but, as I understand it, that is the milled rather than final measurement. Does the smaller metric size refer to the final measurement or does have nothing to do with a 4x2?

Likewise, what do they call a 2x4 in England? If Paul Sellers is any yardstick for how things are done in the UK, you use a 2x4 in the same sense that Americans would. For example, a 2x4 is actually 1.5" x 3.5" (38mm x 89mm) in cross-section.

Additionally, what are the actual dimensions of a 2 by 4?

Lumber Dimensions

NominalActualActual - Metric
2" x 4"1-1/2" x 3-1/2"38 x 89 mm
2" x 6"1-1/2" x 5-1/2"38 x 140 mm
2" x 8"1-1/2" x 7-1/4"38 x 184 mm
2" x 10"1-1/2" x 9-1/4"38 x 235 mm

What is a 4 by 2 wood?

DIMENSIONAL LUMBER:In the past, when a timber was called a 2x4 [or "two-by-four"], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. Now, most timber is milled and planed to give it a little more of a finished look, and a little more of a consistent size and profile. Instead, a 2x4 is really only 1 1/2" by 3 1/2".

Why is it called 4x2 timber?

Timber Sizes
Timber is still widely bought in imperial sizes, while being sold in metric. For example 2x4 means 2"x4". Sellers will supply 50mmx100m, which is near enough identical. 2x4 and 4x2 are the same thing, with both terms in widespread use.

What is 4x2 wood in MM?

Lumber Dimensions
NominalActualActual - Metric
2" x 2"1-1/2" x 1-1/2"38 x 38 mm
2" x 4"1-1/2" x 3-1/2"38 x 89 mm
2" x 6"1-1/2" x 5-1/2"38 x 140 mm
2" x 8"1-1/2" x 7-1/4"38 x 184 mm

What CLS timber means?

Canadian Lumber Standard

What is 2x2 timber?

2x2 (47x50) Timber. Treated Graded Timber ,2x2 most commonly used in the construction of smaller applications. all of our timber is sourced direct from Sweden where it is slow grown producing a tighter grain than UK grown timber, it is treated and mainly all c24 grade making it ideal for any application.

What do they call a 2x4 in Europe?

And when it comes to building a roof or whatever else that you need framing lumber for, you go to a local lumber mill where they cut various shapes and sizes. closest to 2x4 would be 50x100 mm (fives).

Is CLS timber strong?

The benefits of CLS Timber
One of its main advantages is its exceptional strength and the fact it has superior durability over other types of wood timber, thus making it ideal for construction and internal structural work. Due to its rounded edges, CLS timber is also particularly easy to transport and safe to handle.

What size is 4x2 CLS?

The finished size of Scant is usually larger than CLS. CLS 75mm x 50mm (3" x 2") usually finishes at 63mm x 38mm (21/2" x 11/2") and 100mm x 50mm (4" x 2") finishes at 89mm x 38mm (31/2" x 21/2"), whilst Scant 100mm x 50mm (4" x 2") usually finishes at 94mm x 44mm (33/4" x 13/4").

What size is 2x2 timber?

The old standard of calling this board a 2 x 4 still remains, even though in today's lumber practices, the board has never been 2 x 4 inches in size.

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber.

Nominal SizeActual Size
2 x 41 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38 x 89 mm)
2 x 61 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)

How much does a 2x4 cost?

Lumber Prices: Estimating the Cost of Dimensional Lumber
BoardStud*8'
2x3$1.86
2x4$1.90$2.16
2x6$3.70$3.84

Why isn't a 2x4 actually 2x4?

DIMENSIONAL LUMBER:
In the past, when a timber was called a 2x4 [or "two-by-four"], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. Because of this extra milling, a 2x4 no longer measures a full 2 inches by four inches. Instead, a 2x4 is really only 1 1/2" by 3 1/2".

What is half the width of a 2x4?

If the slight difference in width isn't a problem, consider using a couple of 2x2s instead, it's much easier (2x2 will be 1.5" by 1.5", half of a 2x4 would be 1.5"x1.

How long is a 2x4 stud?

The most common dimensions of wall studs are 2-by-6 and 2-by-4. Wall studs for standard walls of 8 feet are 92 5/8 inches. In homes with 9-foot walls, the studs are 104 5/8 inches. Homes with a wall height of 10 feet use pre-cut studs at 116 5/8 inches.

How much weight can a 2x4 hold?

If there is no strong wind, a 2x4 measuring at least 8 feet can support at least 1,000 pounds vertically.

Why is a 2x4 actually 1.5x3 5?

The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.

What is nominal thickness?

Nominal thickness is “in name only” used solely for identification. The nominal size may not match any dimension of the product, but within the domain of that product. The nominal size may correspond to a large number of highly standardized dimensions and tolerances.

When was a 2x4 actually 2x4?

Size standards, maximum moisture content, and nomenclature were agreed upon only as recently as 1964. The nominal 2x4 thus became the actual 1½ x 3½, imperceptibly, a fraction of an inch at a time.

What size is plywood in Europe?

Plywood in Europe can be 4'x8' as well, but the majority is 125x250 cm. There is also 150x300 cm from Eastern European sources. Thickness is always metrical, starting at 3 mm.

What type of 2x4 is used for framing?

Standard SPF (spruce-pine-fir) lumber – Softwood wood choices: Light structural lumber is mainly used in the residential construction of single family homes. This timber is milled from softwood trees (spruce, fir and pine) that are sawn and machine-planed to standard dimensions (2x4", 2x6", 2x8", etc.).

Why are 2 by 4s half an inch shorter?

The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.

Why are 2x4 rounded?

The 2x4 measurement is nominal not actual. even if you buy rough lumber (like 4/4 maple, which should be 4 quarters of an inch thick), it comes out less than that due to surfacing. The reason for the rounding is to remove splinters, which reduces jobsite injuries. dimensional lumber for framing is, but that's it.

Why is a 2x4 1.5x3 5?

The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.

Why does wood say no size?

Lumber. The "nominal" cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). The nominal measurement is made before the lumber is surfaced.

How thick is a five quarter board?

Hardwood Lumber Dimensions
Nominal SizeRough SizeActual Size: Surfaced 2 Sides
5/4 inch1 1/4 inch1 1/16 inch (27 mm)
6/4 inch1 1/2 inch1 5/16 inch (33 mm)
8/4 inch2 inches1 3/4 inch (44 mm)
12/4 inch3 inches2 3/4 inch (70 mm)

What does 2x4x8 mean?

A board foot is actually a measure of volume. By definition, a board foot is one square foot, one inch thick. To calculate board footage use the following formulas: Board Footage =