What Is the Radius of the Edges of 2X4 Lumber?

Update

Board lumber is commonly available with either straight or radius edges. Both types come in a number of standard sizes.

Radius edge boards give projects a more finished look.

Straight Edge Thickness

The actual size of a board is smaller than its listed size. According to Voluntary Product Standard, published by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), the actual thickness of a finished straight edge 2X board is 1.5 inches (38 millimeters), rather than 2 inches.

Edge Geometry

The cross section of a straight edge board has 90-degree angles at the corners. A radius edge board is made by rounding these sharp corners. After rounding, each edge has a straight center portion with a smooth quarter-circle at each end.

Radius Edge Thickness

Lumberyards specify a radius edge board, which was made from a 2X straight edge board, as 5/4X because the straight center portion of the edge measures 1.25 (five-fourths) inches.

Radius of Edge Quarter-Circle

The difference between the 1.5-inch straight edge thickness and the 1.25-inch radius edge center thickness is due to the two corner quarter-circles. Each has a radius of 0.125 inch (one-eighth inch or 3.2 millimeters).

The Drip Cap

  • Board lumber is commonly available with either straight or radius edges.
  • According to Voluntary Product Standard, published by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), the actual thickness of a finished straight edge 2X board is 1.5 inches (38 millimeters), rather than 2 inches.
  • The cross section of a straight edge board has 90-degree angles at the corners.

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