Hardwood Grading Guide
A complete reference to NHLA hardwood grading rules — from premium FAS through No.3 Common — plus how reclaimed hardwood grading works differently.
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NHLA Grading Standards
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) establishes the grading rules used throughout North America for hardwood lumber. These rules are based on the percentage of a board that can be cut into clear (defect-free) pieces of specified minimum sizes. Understanding these grades helps you select the right lumber for your project — and avoid paying for quality you do not need.
How Grading Works
Each board is evaluated by imagining it divided into a grid. The grader determines how many clear "cuttings" of specific minimum sizes can be obtained from the board. The percentage of clear face area determines the grade.
Clear Face vs. Defects
"Clear" means free of knots, splits, wane, decay, and other defects. Mineral streaks, slight color variation, and sound sapwood are generally not considered defects in most NHLA grades but may affect specific appearance requirements.
Pricing Impact
Higher grades command premium prices because they yield more usable clear material per board foot purchased. However, lower grades are often the smarter buy if your project involves shorter components, paint-grade work, or a rustic aesthetic.
Grade Summary at a Glance
| Grade | Min Board Size | Min Clear Face | Typical Yield | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAS | 6" x 8' | 83-1/3% | 83 - 100% | First and Seconds |
| F1F | 6" x 8' | 83-1/3% / 66-2/3% | 83 - 100% | FAS One Face |
| Select | 4" x 6' | 83-1/3% | 83 - 100% | Select |
| No. 1 Com | 3" x 4' | 66-2/3% | 67 - 83% | Cabinet Grade |
| No. 2A Com | 3" x 4' | 50% | 50 - 67% | Economy |
| No. 2B Com | 3" x 4' | 50% | 50 - 67% | Economy (small cuts) |
| No. 3A Com | 3" x 4' | 33-1/3% | 33 - 50% | Utility |
Detailed Grade Specifications
Each NHLA grade has specific requirements for minimum board size, clear face percentage, cutting sizes, and yield. Here is a detailed breakdown of every standard grade.
FAS (First and Seconds)
The highest standard grade. Graded from the poorer face. Each board must yield large, clear cuttings. FAS boards are typically the widest and longest available.
Best Uses
Premium furniture, high-end cabinetry, architectural millwork, wide clear panels, visible faces where appearance is critical.
6" wide x 8' long
83-1/3% (10/12ths)
83-1/3% clear cuttings from the better face
83.3% - 100%
FAS One Face (F1F)
Graded FAS on the better face and No. 1 Common on the reverse. An economical alternative to FAS when only one good face is needed. Pricing is typically 10-15% below FAS.
Best Uses
Furniture with one visible side, cabinet doors, table tops, wall paneling — any application where only one face is seen.
6" wide x 8' long
83-1/3% one face / 66-2/3% reverse
FAS quality on the better face, No. 1 Common on the reverse
83.3% - 100% (good face)
Select
Essentially the same quality as F1F but with smaller minimum board dimensions. Allows 4" wide and 6' long minimums. This grade is especially useful for narrower furniture components and trim work.
Best Uses
Same applications as F1F. The smaller minimum board size makes this grade more economical for projects needing narrower or shorter pieces.
4" wide x 6' long
83-1/3% one face
FAS quality on the better face, No. 1 Common on the reverse
83.3% - 100% (good face)
No. 1 Common
Often called "Cabinet Grade" — the workhorse of the hardwood industry. Most furniture and cabinet shops primarily use No. 1 Common because it offers an excellent balance of quality and value. The smaller clear areas yield pieces suitable for most components.
Best Uses
Kitchen cabinets, standard furniture, interior trim, shorter furniture components, cutting boards, small accent pieces.
3" wide x 4' long
66-2/3% (8/12ths)
66-2/3% clear cuttings from the better face
66.7% - 83.3%
No. 2A Common
Also called "Economy Grade." Contains more knots, mineral streaks, and character marks. Significantly less expensive than higher grades. Ideal for rustic and farmhouse-style projects where character is valued.
Best Uses
Economy furniture, rustic projects, paint-grade millwork, flooring, smaller craft items, and any project where character marks are acceptable or desired.
3" wide x 4' long
50% (6/12ths)
50% clear cuttings from the better face
50% - 66.7%
No. 2B Common
Similar yield to 2A Common but allows smaller cutting sizes. Typically the lowest grade sold at retail. Often mixed with 2A and sold as "No. 2 Common."
Best Uses
Paint-grade trim, concealed structural components, shop fixtures, jigs and templates, pallet wood, packaging.
3" wide x 4' long
50% (6/12ths)
50% clear cuttings, smaller minimums
50% - 66.7%
No. 3A Common
The lowest standard NHLA grade. High percentage of defects, knots, and character marks. Very economical — often 40-60% cheaper than No. 1 Common. Can yield beautiful results in applications where character is the goal.
Best Uses
Flooring, pallet stock, crating, blocking, packaging. Also used creatively for rustic wall cladding, barn-door panels, and mixed-character art projects.
3" wide x 4' long
33-1/3% (4/12ths)
33-1/3% clear cuttings from the better face
33.3% - 50%
Minimum Cutting Sizes by Grade
Each grade specifies not just the percentage of clear material, but the minimum size of individual clear cuttings that can be obtained. Higher grades require larger cuttings — which means longer, wider clear pieces for your project.
| Grade | Max Cuttings Allowed | Min Cutting Size | Surface Measure Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAS | SM/4 (rounded down) | 4" x 5' or 3" x 7' | 6 SM |
| F1F | SM/4 (better face) | 4" x 5' or 3" x 7' | 6 SM |
| Select | SM/4 (better face) | 4" x 5' or 3" x 7' | 4 SM |
| No. 1 Common | SM/3 (rounded down) | 4" x 2' or 3" x 3' | 3 SM |
| No. 2A Common | SM/2 (rounded down) | 3" x 2' | 3 SM |
| No. 2B Common | SM/2 (rounded down) | 3" x 2' (smaller allowed) | 3 SM |
| No. 3A Common | Unlimited | 3" x 2' | 3 SM |
SM = Surface Measure, the board's area in square feet rounded to the nearest whole number. The maximum number of cuttings allowed scales with board size.
Yield vs. Cost: Choosing the Right Grade
A higher grade does not always mean a better value. The right grade depends on your component sizes, aesthetic requirements, and waste tolerance. Here is a general comparison of cost-effectiveness by grade and application.
| Grade | Relative Price | Usable Yield | Waste Factor | Best Value For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAS | $$$$$ (100%) | 83 - 100% | 0 - 17% | Long, wide clear panels |
| F1F / Select | $$$$ (85-90%) | 83 - 100% | 0 - 17% | One-sided applications |
| No. 1 Common | $$$ (65-70%) | 67 - 83% | 17 - 33% | Most furniture & cabinets |
| No. 2 Common | $$ (45-55%) | 50 - 67% | 33 - 50% | Short parts, rustic look |
| No. 3 Common | $ (30-40%) | 33 - 50% | 50 - 67% | Flooring, character pieces |
Pro Tip: The No. 1 Common Sweet Spot
For most furniture and cabinet projects, No. 1 Common (Cabinet Grade) offers the best cost per usable board foot. You pay 30-35% less than FAS but only lose 10-15% in yield. The smaller clear areas are usually more than sufficient for drawer fronts, door panels, face frames, and table components. Reserve FAS for wide, unbroken panels like conference table tops or full-width bookmatched veneers.
How Reclaimed Hardwood Is Graded Differently
Standard NHLA grades were designed for freshly milled lumber. Reclaimed hardwood has a different set of characteristics that require a modified grading approach. Here is how we evaluate and grade reclaimed stock at North Iowa Lumber.
Why Standard Grades Fall Short
Nail Holes: Reclaimed wood almost always contains nail holes from its original use. Under strict NHLA rules, these are defects. But in the reclaimed market, nail holes are expected and often desired for their character. We do not penalize boards for nail holes unless they compromise structural integrity.
Checking & Splits: Minor surface checks and end splits are common in century-old wood. These are typically stable and do not progress further. We evaluate whether checks are structural concerns or purely cosmetic.
Patina & Discoloration: Surface oxidation, weathering, and staining from age are defining features of reclaimed wood — not defects. A board with deep, rich patina may grade poorly under NHLA rules but commands a premium in the reclaimed market.
Worm Tracks & Insect Damage: Surface worm tracking (where insects have carved shallow channels) adds visual texture and is highly sought after for accent walls and furniture. We grade this as a character feature, not a defect, unless it compromises structural capacity.
Our Reclaimed Grading System
Grade A — Premium: Clean, tight grain with minimal nail holes (filled or unfilled). Little to no checking. Rich, even patina. Full thickness with no significant material loss. Suitable for fine furniture, visible architectural features, and high-end projects.
Grade B — Standard: Moderate nail holes, minor checking, some color variation. Structurally sound with good overall appearance. Light surface wear acceptable. The most common grade for general-purpose reclaimed projects.
Grade C — Character: Heavy nail holes, visible checking, worm tracks, mixed patina. May have minor edge damage. Structurally functional but with significant character marks. Ideal for accent walls, rustic furniture, and projects where heavy character is desired.
Grade D — Rustic: Extensive wear, large nail holes, significant checking or splitting, possible thickness variation. Best for decorative applications, non-structural cladding, art projects, and photo backdrops.
| Characteristic | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nail Holes per BF | 0 - 2 | 2 - 5 | 5 - 10 | 10+ |
| Checking | None to hairline | Minor surface | Moderate surface | Heavy, may be through |
| Patina Quality | Even, rich | Good, some variation | Mixed, variable | Heavily weathered |
| Worm Tracks | None | Minimal | Present | Extensive |
| Edge Condition | Clean, full | Minor wear | Some damage | Irregular |
| Structural Integrity | Excellent | Good | Adequate | Decorative only |
| Thickness Consistency | Within 1/16" | Within 1/8" | Within 1/4" | Variable |
| Best Application | Fine furniture | General projects | Accent features | Decorative use |
| Relative Price | $$$$ (Premium) | $$$ (Standard) | $$ (Value) | $ (Economy) |
Species-Specific Grading Notes
Some hardwood species have special grading considerations under NHLA rules. Here are notes for the species most commonly found in our reclaimed inventory.
White Oak
Graded under standard NHLA rules. Sapwood (white/cream) is considered a defect in FAS and F1F grades — the board must be predominantly heartwood (tan/brown). In No. 1 Common and below, sapwood is permitted. Reclaimed white oak from barn frames is often heartwood-dominant due to original timber selection practices.
Red Oak
Standard NHLA grading applies. Color variation between sapwood (light) and heartwood (pink/red) is more pronounced than in white oak. Mineral streaks (dark lines) are not considered defects but may affect visual appearance. Reclaimed red oak flooring often features rich, dark patina from decades of foot traffic.
American Chestnut
Extremely rare in new production due to the chestnut blight (early 1900s). Essentially all chestnut available today is reclaimed. Grading is adapted — worm holes from the chestnut borer are common and considered character marks rather than defects. Commands premium pricing regardless of technical grade.
Heart Pine (Longleaf)
Reclaimed heart pine is dense, resinous, and rich in color. NHLA grades are rarely applied because virtually all heart pine available is reclaimed. Graded primarily on nail-hole density, checking, and percentage of heartwood vs. sapwood. Old-growth heartwood (tight, dark rings) is significantly more valuable than sapwood.
Hard Maple
Unique grading quirk: white maple (sapwood) is more valuable than heartwood for most applications. FAS White Maple requires the face to be predominantly white sapwood. Reclaimed maple from factory floors and bowling alleys often has a distinctive honey amber patina from age and wear.
Walnut
Graded under standard NHLA rules with one exception: sapwood (white/cream edges) is considered a defect in FAS grade. Steamed walnut (uniform brown color) is graded the same as natural. Reclaimed walnut is uncommon but highly valued — most sources are from old furniture factories and gun stock blanks.
Not sure which grade to order? Send us your project details and we will recommend the most cost-effective grade for your application. We can also send sample boards so you can evaluate the character level before committing to a full order.