Nominal 1×6 → Actual ¾" × 5½"

What size is a 1×6, really?

Q: What size is a 1×6, really?

A nominal 1×6 actually measures ¾" × 5½". 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 1×6 is sold and labeled as 1×6, but it actually measures ¾" × 5½". 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 1×6 is actually ¾" × 5½" — not 1×6.

What a 1×6 is actually used for

Shiplap siding, fence pickets, shelving

Good to know before you buy

Shiplap and lapped siding lose width to the overlap — order 15-20% extra length coverage beyond a simple width/board calculation.

How many 1×6s do you need?

USES ACTUAL WIDTH, NOT NOMINAL

Boards to span a width

Calculates how many 1×6 boards, laid edge to edge, are needed to cover a given width — using the real 5½" width plus any gap you leave between boards.

Width to cover (ft)

Gap between boards (in)

Board feet

Uses the actual ¾" × 5½" dimensions to calculate true board feet for pricing or ordering.

Length (ft)

Quantity

1×6 vs. every other size

FULL REFERENCE CHART

Nominal Size	Actual Size	Actual (decimal)

Other sizes

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