Plywood is most often used as a wood packaging material for transporting products, other timber, etc. It can even be used in the production of crates, pallets, and skids. If you’re unsure about the plywood sizes needed for your upcoming project or if you’re not familiar with the available options, don’t worry. We’ll explore different sizes, thicknesses, and lengths to help you make a well-informed choice. Additionally, the specific type of plywood you require will be considered to ensure suitability for your project.
By the end of our discussion, you’ll have a clear understanding of plywood sizes, thickness of plywood, allowing you to proceed with your purchase confidently and start your project smoothly
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What are the standard plywood sizes?
What size does plywood come in? The standard sheet of plywood measures 4 x 8 feet - Plywood size in feet (Plywood sizes in mm is 1220mm x 2440mm, Plywood standard size in cm is 250 cm x 125 cm). However, it can come in a variety of different thicknesses, so not all standard plywood sizes are the exact same.
Common dimensions of a plywood sheet
What is the most common size of plywood? Plywood is most often sold in 4′ x 8′ sheets, but may also be available in 4′ x 10′, 4′ x 12′, or 2′ x 4′ sheets. Hardwood plywood (e.g. birch, maple plywood, White Oak Plywood, cherry, etc.) is often available in 4′ x 8′, 5′ x 5′, and 2′ x 4′ sheets. Softwood types may be thicker than hardwood plywood, due to the need for additional plies to lend stability and structure to the sheet.
Plywood is usually sold by the sheet, but in some rare cases, it may be sold by the board foot. Board footage is a measure of the volume of wood in the sheet, and to calculate it, you can use a board footage calculator or calculate the cubic inches and divide by 144. One board foot is the measurement of 144 cubic inches, or 12″ long by 12″ wide by 1″ thick.
> Read more: What Should The Best Thickness For Plywood Subfloor Be?
Plywood sheets are economical for the pocket as they can be produced to precise dimensions as per the requirement. The commonly manufactured and sold plywood size in India is 2400 x 1200 mm (8’x4’). Other plywood sizes available are 6’x3’, 7’x3’, etc. These are also available in the market.
Sizes of plywood in India
What are the list of plywood sizes? According to ‘Indian Standard, IS: 10701:2012’ (Structural Plywood — Specification) and ‘IS: 303:1989’ (Plywood for General Purposes Specification), here we have summed up some standard plywood sizes which are available in India in square feet as well as its corresponding value in mm.
- 8′ x 4′ (ft) – 2400 x 1200 (mm)
- 8′ x 3′ (ft) – 2400 x 900 (mm)
- 7′ x 4′ (ft) – 2100 x 1200 (mm)
- 7′ x 3′ (ft) – 2100 x 900 (mm)
- 6′ x 4′ (ft) – 1800 x 1200 (mm)
- 6′ x 3′ (ft) – 1800 x 900 (mm)
> Learn more: 20 Best Plywood Brands In India (2024)
Plywood Sizes in UK
In other countries like USA, Canada, UK, etc. plywood is available in different ply sizes. According to the Canadian Wood Council, plywood is manufactured in prevailing sizes:
- 8′ x 4′ (ft) – 2440 x 1220 (mm)
- 9′ x 4′ (ft) – 2740 x 1220 (mm)
- 10′ x 4′ (ft) –3050 x 1220 (mm)
- 7.8′ x 4′ (ft) – 2400 x 1220 (mm)
- 8.2′ x 4′ (ft) – 2500 x 1220 (mm)
> Learn more: Top plywood manufacturers and suppliers in USA: Vinawood
What is the size of plywood in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the standard plywood size is 4x8 feet, available in various thicknesses. It also is 4x8 plywood sizes (4 feet wide by 8 feet long). It is the answer for “What size is a 4x8 sheet of plywood?”
How thick is plywood?
Plywood sheet goods are available in various thicknesses and sizes and are typically sold by their nominal thickness, as well as by the number of plies – 3 ply and 5 ply being common. While the length and width are often the actual dimensions, the nominal thickness is usually different from the actual thickness.
| Nominal | Actual |
| ⅛ inch | 7/64 inch |
| ¼ inch | 7/32 inch |
| 3/7 inch | 11/32 inch |
| ½ inch | 15 32 plywood in inches |
| ⅝ inch | 19 32 plywood in inches |
| ¾ inch | 23/32 plywood in inches |
Size Tolerances
Plywood is often sold in nominal thick plywood of 1/4″, 1/2″, or 3/4″, but the actual thickness is usually 1/32″ thinner. To accurately determine the thickness, use a caliper.
- A 3/4″ sheet is actually 23/32″ thick.
- A plywood sheets 1/2 inch is actually 15/32″ thick.
- A 1/4″ sheet is actually 7/32″ thick.
Plywood sheets over an inch thick, such as 1 1 4 plywood″ and 1-1/8 Plywood ″, are typically true to size, though this can vary by manufacturer.
Plywood is also sold by the number of plies, which can have different thicknesses. A 3-ply sheet might be 2mm or 3mm thick, depending on the wood used. Generally, more plies mean greater strength. For example, a 9-ply 3/4″ sheet is stronger than a 5-ply 3/4″ sheet.
For applications like roofing, the 1/32” difference may not matter, but for fine carpentry, precise measurements are crucial. For instance, a groove for a cabinet door panel must match the plywood thickness exactly to ensure stability and prevent rattling. Precision is also important in trim carpentry and underlayment. Accurate measurements ensure a perfect fit, preventing gaps in wainscoting panels or mismatched floor heights between rooms.
> Read more: Plywood For Cabinets: Choosing The Right Grade And Thickness
Plywood sizes and prices
The price of plywood varies depending on the type of wood, thickness, size, and quality. Softwood plywood typically ranges from $10 to $40 per 4′ x 8′ sheet, while hardwood plywood can cost between $20 and $80 per sheet of the same size. Marine-grade plywood is more expensive, priced between $40 and $150 per sheet. Specialty plywood, such as MDF or pressure-treated options, ranges from $30 to over $100 per sheet. Factors like wood type, thickness, size, grade, and special treatments (e.g., fire or water resistance) significantly influence the overall cost. For the most accurate pricing, check with local suppliers or home improvement stores.
> Read more: MDF vs Plywood: Which Is Better?
Why is a 3/4” Sheet of Plywood Less Than 3/4” Thick?
The actual thickness of a 3/4” sheet of plywood is less than 3/4” due to several reasons. Firstly, wood naturally shrinks as it dries and loses moisture, which can cause a slight reduction in thickness. Additionally, the glue used to bond the plywood sheets together can swell the wood slightly during manufacturing, but this excess thickness is lost as the glue dries.
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Plywood is typically thinner than its nominal measurement, with a 3/4” sheet often measuring closer to 23/32” (18 mm). This practice is common in the industry to ensure that the plywood can fit into tools and assemblies designed for slightly thinner materials.
How is Plywood made?
Firstly, Plywood is made by peeling thin sheets of wood from a log, then gluing them together in layers with their grains perpendicular to one another. This cross-grain construction gives plywood its strength and durability. After the veneers have been peeled, they are sorted by size and quality. The veneers are then clipped into uniform widths and laid out in a sequence to form a panel.
The next step is to glue the veneers together using a hot press. The glue can vary depending on the intended use of the plywood and can use a cheaper, non-waterproof glue. The hot press applies heat and pressure to the veneers, bonding them together into a solid panel.
Once the plywood is bonded, it is trimmed to its final size and sanded to remove any rough spots. The final step is to grade the plywood based on its appearance and quality. The grading system varies depending on the location but generally, it ranges from A to D, with a being the highest quality and D being thow lowest.
> Learn more: What is ACX Plywood? Which is better, ACX or BCX plywood?
Plywood Core Types
Not all plywood cores are identical. The plywood core, situated between the outer wood veneers, varies in composition.
Different types of plywood utilize distinct cores to manage costs, enhance strength, or improve flexibility, catering to specific project needs. Typically, a veneer core suffices for most projects and is readily available at most home improvement stores.
Veneer Core
This is the most common type of plywood core, which consists of thin sheets of wood (veneer) glued together at opposing wood-grain angles on the same plane for increased strength.
For high-end applications or projects that will leave the laminated edges exposed, look for Baltic B-birch plywood or hardwood veneer plywood.
Veneer core plywood commonly has either 5 or 7 sheets of veneer. For stronger sheets less resistant to bending and warping, purchase 7-ply sheets. Some sheets used in heavy-duty applications can have as many as 13 ply or more.
> Learn more: How to cut plywood: 5 steps to professionally cut plywood
Lumber core
This consists of edge-glued strips of wood with a wood veneer. This results in a stronger product that resists deflection (doesn’t bend easily), which makes it great for long shelves. It is more expensive and can be hard to find.
> Read more: 9 Factors To Choose Laminated Veneer Lumber – VINAWOOD
MDF core
Not common for home construction, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is commonly used in art projects and speaker boxes. It is heavy and has a uniform thickness, size, and appearance.
> Read more: MDF Vs Plywood: Is MDF Better Than Plywood? – VINAWOOD
Particleboard core
Particleboard is the least expensive plywood core. It isn’t very strong and is susceptible to water damage. It’s best for inexpensive furniture and projects where strength isn’t required.
> Read more: Particle board vs Plywood: Which Is The Best Choice For Your Needs?
Plywood dimensions vary depending on factors such as wood type, grade, and intended use. Your specific requirements will dictate the most suitable plywood sizes for your business and supply chain, taking into account the inherent thickness loss during manufacturing.
VINAWOOD – Vietnam Plywood Supplier & Manufacturer
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