Nominal 2×6 → Actual 1½" × 5½"

What size is a 2×6, really?

Q: What size is a 2×6, really?

A nominal 2×6 actually measures 1½" × 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 2×6 is sold and labeled as 2×6, but it actually measures 1½" × 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 2×6 is actually 1½" × 5½" — not 2×6.

What a 2×6 is actually used for

Exterior wall framing, deck joists, ledger boards

Good to know before you buy

Many current energy codes call for 2x6 exterior walls specifically for the deeper insulation cavity — check your local code before framing walls this thick.

How many 2×6s do you need?

USES ACTUAL WIDTH, NOT NOMINAL

Boards to span a width

Calculates how many 2×6 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 1½" × 5½" dimensions to calculate true board feet for pricing or ordering.

Length (ft)

Quantity

2×6 vs. every other size

FULL REFERENCE CHART

Nominal Size	Actual Size	Actual (decimal)

Other sizes

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