If you're planning a woodworking project, knowing your plywood dimensions saves time and money. Here's a quick reference for the most common sizes.
Standard sheet sizes
| Name | Inches | Millimeters | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×8 ft | 48 × 96 | 1220 × 2440 | Most common. Cabinets, furniture, shelving |
| 5×5 ft | 60 × 60 | 1525 × 1525 | Baltic birch. Drawer boxes, jigs |
| 4×4 ft | 48 × 48 | 1220 × 1220 | Hobby projects, small furniture |
| 4×10 ft | 48 × 120 | 1220 × 3050 | Long shelves, countertops |
| 4×12 ft | 48 × 144 | 1220 × 3660 | Specialty. Boat building, long panels |
The 4×8 sheet is the industry standard in North America. In Europe, 2500×1250mm is more common (slightly larger).
Common thicknesses
| Fraction | Decimal (in) | Millimeters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 0.25 | 6mm | Drawer bottoms, cabinet backs |
| 3/8" | 0.375 | 9mm | Shelf backs, templates |
| 1/2" | 0.5 | 12mm | Cabinet backs, lightweight shelves |
| 5/8" | 0.625 | 15mm | Subfloor, sheathing |
| 3/4" | 0.75 | 18mm | Cabinets, furniture, shelves |
| 1" | 1.0 | 25mm | Heavy-duty shelving, workbenches |
Note: Actual thickness is often slightly less than nominal. A "3/4 inch" sheet is typically 23/32" (18.3mm).
Plywood types
Softwood plywood (CDX, ACX) - construction grade. Pine or fir face. Used for sheathing, subfloor, and rough carpentry. Cheapest option ($25-40 per 4×8 sheet).
Hardwood plywood (birch, oak, maple face) - cabinet grade. Smooth face veneer for visible surfaces. $45-90 per sheet depending on species.
Baltic birch - premium. Void-free, excellent edge quality. Comes in 5×5 ft sheets. $50-80 per sheet. Popular for drawer boxes, jigs, and furniture.
Marine plywood - waterproof glue, no voids. For boats, outdoor furniture, wet environments. $80-150 per sheet.
MDF (not technically plywood) - medium density fiberboard. Very flat and smooth, paintable. $30-50 per sheet. Heavy.
Weight per sheet (approximate)
| Thickness | Softwood (4×8) | Hardwood (4×8) | Baltic birch (5×5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" (6mm) | 22 lbs / 10 kg | 25 lbs / 11 kg | 18 lbs / 8 kg |
| 1/2" (12mm) | 40 lbs / 18 kg | 48 lbs / 22 kg | 35 lbs / 16 kg |
| 3/4" (18mm) | 60 lbs / 27 kg | 70 lbs / 32 kg | 52 lbs / 24 kg |
How many sheets do I need?
That depends on your project. The quick way: add up the area of all your parts, divide by the sheet area (2,976,800 mm² for a 4×8), and round up. Then add 10-15% for waste and kerf.
The better way: use a cut list optimizer that calculates the exact number of sheets by finding the optimal layout for your specific parts.