Nominal 1×4 → Actual ¾" × 3½"

What size is a 1×4, really?

Q: What size is a 1×4, really?

A nominal 1×4 actually measures ¾" × 3½". The difference comes from milling and drying — the board starts closer to its named size, then shrinks as it's surfaced smooth and dried to standard moisture content.

A 1×4 is sold and labeled as 1×4, but it actually measures ¾" × 3½". The difference comes from milling and drying — the board starts closer to its named size, then shrinks as it's surfaced smooth and dried to standard moisture content.

DASHED = WHAT IT'S CALLED · SOLID = WHAT YOU GET

A 1×4 is actually ¾" × 3½" — not 1×4.

What a 1×4 is actually used for

Trim, face frames, shelving cleats, furring

Good to know before you buy

For trim runs, buy boards from the same bundle when you can — color and grain match noticeably better than boards pulled from different bundles.

How many 1×4s do you need?

USES ACTUAL WIDTH, NOT NOMINAL

Boards to span a width

Calculates how many 1×4 boards, laid edge to edge, are needed to cover a given width — using the real 3½" width plus any gap you leave between boards.

Width to cover (ft)

Gap between boards (in)

Board feet

Uses the actual ¾" × 3½" dimensions to calculate true board feet for pricing or ordering.

Length (ft)

Quantity

1×4 vs. every other size

FULL REFERENCE CHART

Nominal Size	Actual Size	Actual (decimal)

Other sizes

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