The size of a planer is indicated by the

• A. width of the stock it will surface
• B. horsepower
• C. length
• D. weight

Answer: (D)

Planer size is determined by the maximum width of stock it can surface in one pass. That width defines what boards you can flatten without turning or re-jedding, so it’s the key capacity a planer offers.

Horsepower affects how aggressively the planer can remove material and how it handles tougher stock, but it doesn’t change the widest board you can run through the cutterhead.

Length isn’t the size indicator either—the bed length influences how long a board can be while planing, not how wide a board can be.

Weight relates to portability and stability, not the planer's stock-width capacity.

So, a planer’s size reflects the width of stock it can surface, which is the practical limit you must match to the boards you plan to work with.