What are the actual dimensions of surface dry 2" x 10" framed lumber?

• A. 1-3/4 x 9-7/8
• B. 1-1/2 x 9-1/2
• C. 1-1/2 x 9-1/4
• D. 1-5/8 x 9-3/4

Answer: (C)

Nominal vs actual dimensions in dimensional lumber are what this question is testing. A 2 by 10 is a nominal size used in framing, but the lumber you actually get is milled down to smaller, standard actual dimensions. For surfaced, kiln-dried framing lumber, the thickness is typically 1-1/2 inches and the width is 9-1/4 inches. So the real measurements you’d see are 1-1/2 by 9-1/4 inches.

The other possibilities show dimensions that don’t match the standard actual size for a 2x10. They’d correspond to different lumber grades or rough-cut sizes, not the common surfaced, finished dimensions used in typical framing.