WOODWORKING
Chapter 12Measuring Terminology
Introduction:
When purchasing wood or reading a set of plans, you must know the terminology to properly identify what is
needed. Boards are identified in three ways: thickness, width, and length. Think of each board as having a first,
middle, and last name. When identifying lumber, these three names will always be written in same order.Thickness: The thickness of the wood comes
first. It is the first name of the board.
The thickness is the vertical
measurement of the board if it were
lying flat on its widest side (see
illustration).Width: How wide the wood is listed next. It is
the middle name of the board. The
width is the horizontal measurement of
the board while lying flat on its widest
side (see illustration).Length: How long the wood is comes last. It is
the last name of the board. The length
tells you how long the board is from
end to end (see illustration).Symbols
The symbol you will see when the name of the board is written is the x. The x simply means “by,” or “the next
way.” It is written between each number, like this thickness x width x length. A 2x4x96, then, is read, “Two by four
by ninety-six inches.” That is to say that the thickness is identified as being two inches. The next way is to the width.
It is four inches. The next way after that is the length, and it is ninety-six inches.
Practice identifying the following names of lumber:1x3x48 How thick is board?
How wide is this board?
How long is this board?2x6x96 How thick is board?
How wide is this board?
How long is this board?1x4x60 How thick is board?
How wide is this board?
How long is this board?4x4x92 ¼ How thick is board?
How wide is this board?
How long is this board?1/2x8x36 How thick is board?
How wide is this board?
How long is this board?