What does 4/4 or 8/4 mean?

[Josh Goldsmith]

I think i might know. Does 4/4 mean 1" thick? And 8/4 mean 2" thick? Am i way off or did i figure it out? Thanks Josh

[Chris Padilla]

Just fractions! :) 4/4 " = 1" and 8/4" = 2"

I'm sure a few will pipe in with the history of using 1/4" increments

[tod evans]

you got it:)

[Josh Goldsmith]

When someone advertises 4/4 is it exactly 1" thick or is it like a 2x4 which is 1 1/2x 3 1/2 thick.

[tod evans]

4/4 rough that i buy is kiln dried and comes in at about 1 3/16. tod

[Robert Mayer]

Its one of two ideal ratios for girls/guys at a party.

[Brett Baldwin]

4/4 rarely equals exactly 1" but it is rough wood so variations should be expected. In general, it can +/- 1/8" from 1" and still be considered 4/4. The idea is that after all the jointing and planing is done, you should have about 3/4" material to work with if you started with a 4/4 board. If the board is on the -1/8" side then you have to be careful in your dimensioning processes to be sure you have 3/4" left at the end.