The entire wood industry uses what is known as nominal sizes. This can be confusing for anyone not in the lumber and construction industry. Nominal sizes are simplified ways to reference, not actual sizes. Instead of saying, “let me get three-quarters by three and one-half inches,” you can say, “one by four.” This is an industry-standard sizing. It also addresses the boards’ shrinkage and expansion caused by less or more humidity. Actual sizes can vary depending on where the wood is stored and installed due to the expansion and contraction of natural wood.
Some lawsuits against Home Depot and Menards in 2017 resulted in the Nominal size use being upheld as an industry standard. As a consumer, it is vital to understand the difference.
We have considered not using Nominal Dimensions. However, we decided it would be more confusing for professionals than helpful for novice consumers. So we list every item in the actual size and the nominal size. If not otherwise indicated, all sizes are nominal.
Understanding Nominal vs. Net Sizes
Below is an actual list of nominal dimensions and sizes for our Ipe. Make sure if you have any questions, contact us before ordering. We also have a master ipe price list available.
| Ipe Nominal Dimension Sizes | Ipe Net Sizes (Actual Size**) – Decimal | Ipe Net Sizes (Actual Size**) – Fraction | Spoken |
| 1 x 4 Ipe | .75″ x 3.5″ Ipe | 3/4″x3-1/2″ | Three-Quarter Inch by Three and a Half Inches |
| 1 x 6 Ipe | .75″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 3/4″x5-1/2″ | Three-Quarter Inch by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 1 x 8 Ipe | .75″ x 7.25″ Ipe | 3/4″x7-1/4″ | Three-Quarter Inch by Seven and a Quarter Inches |
| 1 x 10 Ipe | .75″ x 9.25″ Ipe | 3/4″x9-1/4″ | Three-Quarter Inch by Nine and One Quarter Inches |
| 1 x 12 Ipe | .75 x 11.25″ Ipe | 3/4″x11-1/4″ | Three-Quarter Inch by Eleven and One Quarter Inches |
| 5/4 x 4 Ipe | 1″ x 3.5″ Ipe | 1″x3-1/2″ | One Inch by Three and One-Half Inches |
| 5/4 x 6 Ipe | 1″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 1″x5-1/2″ | One Inch by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 5/4 x 8 Ipe | 1″ x 7.25″” Ipe | 1″x7-1/4″ | One Inch by Seven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 5/4 x 10 Ipe | 1″ x 9.25″ Ipe | 1″x9-1/4″ | One Inch by Nine and One-Quarter Inches |
| 5/4 x 12 Ipe | 1″ x 11.25″ Ipe | 1″x11-1/4″ | One Inch by Eleven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 2 x 2 Ipe | 1.5″ x 1.5″ Ipe | 1-1/2″x1-1/2″ | One and One-half Inches by One and One-half Inches |
| 2 x 4 Ipe | 1.5″ x 3.5″ Ipe | 1-1/2″x3-1/2″ | One and One-half Inches by Three and One-Half Inches |
| 2 x 6 Ipe | 1.5″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 1-1/2″x5-1/2″ | One and One-half Inches by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 2 x 8 Ipe | 1.5″ x 7.25″ Ipe | 1-1/2″x7-1/4″ | One and One-half Inches by Seven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 2 x 10 Ipe | 1.5″ x 9.25″ Ipe | 1-1/2″x9-1/4″ | One and One-half Inches by Nine and One-Quarter Inches |
| 2 x 12 Ipe | 1.5″ x 11.25 Ipe | 1-1/2″x11-1/4″ | One and One-half inches by Eleven and One Quarter Inches |
| 3 x 6 Ipe | 2.5″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 2-1/2″x5-1/2″ | Two and One-half Inches by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 3 x 8 Ipe | 2.5″ x 7.25″ Ipe | 2-1/2″x7-1/4″ | Two and One-half Inches by Seven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 4 x 4 Ipe | 3.5” x 3.5″ Ipe | 3-1/2″x3-1/2″ | Three and One-half Inch by Three and One-Half Inches |
| 4×6 Ipe | 3.5″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 3-1/2″x5-1/2″ | Three and One-Half Inch by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 4×8 Ipe | 3.5″ x 7.25″ Ipe | 3-1/2″x7-1/4″ | Three and One-half Inch by Seven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 4×10 Ipe | 3.5″ x 9.25″ Ipe | 3-1/2″x9.25″ | Three and One-half inches by Nine and One-Quarter Inches |
| 4×12 Ipe | 3.5″ x 11.25″ Ipe | 3-1/2″x11.25″ | Three and One-half inches by Eleven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 6×6 Ipe | 5.5″ x 5.5″ Ipe | 5-1/2″x5-1/2″ | Five and One-Quarter Inches by Five and One-Half Inches |
| 6×8 Ipe | 5.5″ x 7.25″ Ipe | 5-1/2″x7-1/4″ | Five and One-Quarter Inches by Seven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 6×10 Ipe | 5.5″ x 9.25″ Ipe | 5-1/2″x9-1/4″ | Five and One-Quarter Inches by Nine and One-Quarter Inches |
| 6×12 Ipe | 5.5″ x 11.25″ Ipe | 5-1/2″x11-1/4″ | Five and One-Quarter Inches by Eleven and One-Quarter Inches |
| 8×8 Ipe | 7.25″x7.25″ Ipe | 7-1/4″x7-1/4″ | Seven and one-Quarter Inches by Seven and one-Quarter Inches |
| 2×2 Ipe Tiles | 24″x24″ Ipe Deck Tiles | 2’x2′ Ipe Decking Tiles | Two by Two Feet |
| 2×4 Ipe Tiles | 24″ x 48“ Ipe Deck Tiles | 2’x4′ Ipe Decking Tiles | Two by Four Feet |
Please Note: We have full milling capabilities and can reduce any of these sizes to any specific needs your job may require. Also, to see different wood hardness, you can see here for comparison.
*This page is meant to be a resource for sizing. For the exact sizing of your order, please refer to your specific order, and if you have any questions, make sure to ask prior to ordering.
**Moisture and milling can add or reduce these actual measurements by as much as 9%.