Compare
Nominal size vs measured size
Compare how softwood labels and hardwood measurements affect board-foot inputs so your calculator matches the invoice.
| Approach | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal softwood (2×4 as 2×4) | Framing stock sold by label | Overstates finished cross-section; match the seller’s tally habit |
| Measured hardwood faces | Rough or surfaced hardwood billed by true width | Requires a tape; matches many hardwood invoices |
| Quarters thickness (4/4, 8/4) | Rough hardwood catalogs | Name is thickness in quarter-inches, not a grade |
| Piece count only | Identical milled blanks | Hides volume; convert to board feet before comparing species prices |