WoodBoard0.75 × 11.25 in actual

1x12 Lumber Dimensions

The widest standard 1 in board. Mostly sold for shelving, treads and panel work where a single board covers the span.

1" nom.12" nominal3/4" actual11-1/4" actual1x12
1x12 section — nominal vs dressedDashed = nominal 1 × 12 in · solid = actual 0.75 × 11.25 in. Drawn to a single scale.

Quick specificationwhat the size actually measures

Nominal size1 × 12 in (25.4 × 304.8 mm)
Actual size (dry)0.75 × 11.25 in (19.05 × 285.75 mm)
Dressed section area8.44 in² (54.44 cm²)
Removed per face0.125 in off the thickness, 0.375 in off the width
Trade groupBoard

Dimensionsnominal against dressed, and why they differ

The nominal figure of 1 × 12 inches describes the rough green board. After drying and planing on four faces the section measures 0.75 by 11.25 inches — that is, 0.125 inch off each of the wide faces and 0.375 inch off each edge.

Every page in this database is generated from the dressed figure, because that is the section that has to carry the load and take the fixing. If you are sizing a beam, checking a fixing length or estimating a delivery, use 0.75 × 11.25 inches (19.05 × 285.75 mm) rather than the nominal call size.

By lengthboard feet, volume and weight for each tabulated length

LengthBoard feetActual volumeWeight (Spruce (Sitka))
1x12x660.3516 ft³9.44 lb
1x12x880.4688 ft³12.58 lb
1x12x10100.5859 ft³15.73 lb
1x12x12120.7031 ft³18.87 lb
1x12x14140.8203 ft³22.02 lb
1x12x16160.9375 ft³25.17 lb

Two different bases, deliberately. Board feet is calculated from the nominal section, because that is the pricing convention. Volume and weight use the actual section, because that is the material actually present. A 2x4x8 is 5.33 board feet but only 0.4688 cubic feet.

Weight by speciesthe same section, every species in the database

Wood database
SpeciesDensity1x12x8 weight
Balsa0.16 g/cm³4.68 lb · 2.12 kg
Cedar (Western Red)0.37 g/cm³10.83 lb · 4.91 kg
Poplar (Yellow)0.42 g/cm³12.29 lb · 5.57 kg
Basswood0.42 g/cm³12.29 lb · 5.57 kg
Redwood0.42 g/cm³12.29 lb · 5.57 kg
Spruce (Sitka)0.43 g/cm³12.58 lb · 5.71 kg
Cedar (Eastern Red)0.47 g/cm³13.75 lb · 6.24 kg
Hemlock (Western)0.47 g/cm³13.75 lb · 6.24 kg
Cypress (Bald)0.48 g/cm³14.05 lb · 6.37 kg
Fir (Douglas)0.53 g/cm³15.51 lb · 7.04 kg
Pine (Southern Yellow)0.55 g/cm³16.09 lb · 7.3 kg
Mahogany (Honduran)0.55 g/cm³16.09 lb · 7.3 kg
Cherry (Black)0.56 g/cm³16.39 lb · 7.43 kg
Larch0.58 g/cm³16.97 lb · 7.7 kg
Teak0.63 g/cm³18.44 lb · 8.36 kg
OSB (Oriented Strand Board)0.65 g/cm³19.02 lb · 8.63 kg
Walnut (Black)0.66 g/cm³19.31 lb · 8.76 kg
Ash (White)0.67 g/cm³19.61 lb · 8.89 kg
Birch Plywood0.68 g/cm³19.9 lb · 9.03 kg
Birch (Yellow Birch)0.69 g/cm³20.19 lb · 9.16 kg
Bamboo0.7 g/cm³20.48 lb · 9.29 kg
Maple (Hard Maple)0.705 g/cm³20.63 lb · 9.36 kg
Beech (American)0.72 g/cm³21.07 lb · 9.56 kg
Oak0.75 g/cm³21.95 lb · 9.96 kg
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)0.75 g/cm³21.95 lb · 9.96 kg
Hickory0.82 g/cm³24 lb · 10.89 kg
Rosewood (East Indian)0.85 g/cm³24.87 lb · 11.28 kg
Ipe1 g/cm³29.26 lb · 13.27 kg

Weights are derived, not quoted: density at about 12% moisture content × actual volume. Treat them as a floor — green stock stays heavier until it dries.

Where it is usedtypical applications for this section

ShelvingStair treadsSide gatesPanelling

Frequently asked questionsabout 1x12

What are the actual dimensions of a 1x12?

0.75 × 11.25 inches — 19.05 × 285.75 millimetres. The nominal call size of 1 × 12 inches is the rough green section, before planing and drying.

How much does a 1x12 weigh?

That depends on the species and the length, which is why this page gives both rather than one figure. A 1x12x8 of Spruce (Sitka) weighs about 12.58 lb (5.71 kg); the table above covers every species in the database at that length.

How do I convert a 1x12 to board feet?

Multiply the nominal thickness, width and length in inches and divide by 144. For a 1x12x8 that is (1 × 12 × 96) ÷ 144 = 8 board feet.

Other lumber sizesevery nominal size in the database

Lumber size database