actual wall thickness

[grumpydasmurf]

If a wall is constructed of 2x4 with 1/2" drywall on both sides, what is the actual thickness?

Since everything is nominal I'm not 100% sure. My guess is: 4" actual thickness. Or is 1/2" drywall actually 1/2"?

[Rich]

By saying 4" I would assume you are talking about an exterior wall with no sheathing taken into account? If so - consider it 4-1/16". For interior walls it's typically called out as 4-9/16".

[grumpydasmurf]

Interior partition wall. http://www.reliableamerican.us/KitchenProject/during%20wall%202.JPG See that wall next to the dirty ol stove? I am going to extend the wall to extend past the stove... at least a 32" extension.

I was planning the kitchen layout in autocad so I needed to know the thickness of that wall. The answer I got elsewhere was 4 1/2" actual size.

[Rich]

OIC.. yes in the perfect world it would be 4-1/2" in size. And for your situation of drawing that's what should be used. I was considering what window and door manufacturers make their frames at so that any variations in the wall aren't as noticeable. You can see from this listing of a window from pella (read down a little to see where they spec the jamb width) - http://www.pella.com/products/windows_patiodoors/Detail.asp?path=/products/windows/doublehung/commercial