NHLA Rules

The official NHLA Rules Book for grading hardwood lumber (2023), now as an app!

Internationally recognized NHLA hardwood lumber grading standards and sales code at your fingertips. Accessibility features for ease-of-use, charts, metric conversion table, species exceptions, definitions, tips, shortcuts and more are all included.

Includes:

Methods Used in Applying Inspection Rules

Standard Grades

Standard Inspection by Species, Including Cypress

Tropical Hardwoods

Inspection of Kiln Dried Lumber

Special Combined and Face Grades

Furniture Dimension Stock

Strips

Hardwoods for Construction

Additional information:

Original National Inspection Regulations

National Re-Inspection Regulations & Guarantee

Index of Woods

NHLA Sales Code

About NHLA

Industry standards for the hardwood lumber industry were created in 1898 by the establishment of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and its subsequent “Rules for the Measurement & Inspection of Hardwood & Cypress.”

The Rules for the inspection of lumber are uniform in construction and application but also carry with them the element of stability. The NHLA Hardwood Grading Rules are the product of the process of evolutionary development, and that process is still in operation. It is a process of growth and expansion to meet the necessities of varying conditions and markets and will continue and evolve with the global hardwood industry. Questions about the NHLA Hardwood Lumber Grading Rules should be directed to the NHLA Chief Inspector. Contact information can be found at www.nhla.com.