Actual Plywood Thickness & Size Chart
Complete guide to actual plywood thickness and dimensions. Learn the real sizes of plywood sheets, from standard softwood to Baltic birch, with nominal vs actual comparisons.
Quick Answer
Plywood is typically 1/32" thinner than its nominal size. A "3/4 inch" sheet actually measures 23/32" (0.719"). This is due to sanding during manufacturing.
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Table of Contents
Standard Plywood Thickness Chart
This chart shows nominal vs actual thickness for standard softwood and hardwood plywood available at home centers:
| Nominal Size | Actual (Fraction) | Actual (Decimal) | Metric | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 7/64" - 1/8" | 0.109" - 0.125" | 3 mm | Underlayment, craft projects |
| 1/4" | 7/32" - 1/4" | 0.219" - 0.250" | 6 mm | Cabinet backs, drawer bottoms |
| 3/8" | 11/32" - 3/8" | 0.344" - 0.375" | 9 mm | Light structural, shelving |
| 1/2" | 15/32" - 1/2" | 0.469" - 0.500" | 12 mm | Sheathing, flooring underlayment |
| 5/8" | 19/32" - 5/8" | 0.594" - 0.625" | 15 mm | Subflooring, roof decking |
| 3/4" | 23/32" - 3/4" | 0.719" - 0.750" | 18 mm | Cabinets, shelving, furniture |
| 1" | 31/32" - 1" | 0.969" - 1.000" | 25 mm | Heavy structural, counters |
| 1-1/8" | 1-3/32" - 1-1/8" | 1.094" - 1.125" | 28 mm | Subflooring (T&G), workbenches |
Note: Hardwood plywood (birch, oak veneer) is often closer to full nominal thickness than softwood construction plywood. Always measure before critical cuts.
Baltic Birch Thickness Chart
Baltic birch plywood uses metric sizing. This premium plywood has more uniform thickness than standard plywood:
| Metric Size | Inch Equivalent | Decimal Inches | Number of Plies | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm | 1/8" | 0.118" | 3 | Laser cutting, model making |
| 6mm | 1/4" | 0.236" | 5 | CNC projects, drawer sides |
| 9mm | 3/8" | 0.354" | 7 | Shelving, speaker cabinets |
| 12mm | 1/2" | 0.472" | 9 | Furniture, cabinetry |
| 15mm | 5/8" | 0.591" | 11 | Workbenches, jigs |
| 18mm | 3/4" | 0.709" | 13 | Cabinet boxes, furniture |
| 25mm | 1" | 0.984" | 17+ | Heavy-duty applications |
Baltic Birch Advantage: Unlike domestic plywood, Baltic birch has many thin hardwood plies throughout, not just on the faces. This provides superior edge quality and more consistent thickness.
Plywood Sheet Sizes
Plywood comes in various sheet sizes. The standard 4×8 is most common, but other sizes are available:
| Sheet Size | Dimensions (Inches) | Metric (mm) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4' × 8' | 48" × 96" | 1219 × 2438 mm | Most common standard size |
| 4' × 4' | 48" × 48" | 1219 × 1219 mm | Project panels, common |
| 5' × 5' | 60" × 60" | 1524 × 1524 mm | Baltic birch standard |
| 4' × 10' | 48" × 120" | 1219 × 3048 mm | Special order |
| 4' × 12' | 48" × 144" | 1219 × 3658 mm | Commercial, special order |
| 2' × 4' | 24" × 48" | 610 × 1219 mm | Handy panels, DIY stores |
| 2' × 2' | 24" × 24" | 610 × 610 mm | Craft panels |
Standard 4×8 Sheet
Contains 32 square feet of material. This is the most cost-effective size for large projects and is what all "per sheet" prices reference.
Baltic Birch 5×5 Sheet
Baltic birch is typically sold in 5' × 5' (1525mm × 1525mm) sheets. Contains 25 square feet. This metric sizing comes from European manufacturing standards.
Why Actual Differs from Nominal
Several factors contribute to the difference between nominal and actual plywood thickness:
1. Sanding Process
Plywood surfaces are sanded smooth during manufacturing. This removes approximately 1/64" from each face, totaling about 1/32" of thickness. Higher grades receive more sanding.
2. Veneer Compression
During hot pressing, the wood veneers compress slightly. This is especially true for softwood species with lower density. The heat and pressure permanently reduce thickness.
3. Industry Tolerances
Manufacturing standards (APA PS 1-19) allow thickness tolerances. For plywood under 3/4", tolerance is ±1/32". For 3/4" and thicker, it's ±1/32" on the minus side and +1/16" on the plus side.
4. Veneer Thickness Variation
Individual veneer sheets vary slightly in thickness. When layered, these small variations compound. Quality control aims to keep the final product within tolerance.
Choosing the Right Thickness
Select plywood thickness based on your project requirements:
1/4" Plywood
- • Cabinet backs and drawer bottoms
- • Underlayment for thin materials
- • Craft projects and templates
- • Curved forms and bending
1/2" Plywood
- • Wall sheathing (non-structural)
- • Flooring underlayment
- • Cabinet sides (lighter duty)
- • Shelving (short spans)
3/4" Plywood
- • Cabinet boxes and doors
- • Furniture construction
- • Heavy-duty shelving
- • Workbenches and jigs
1-1/8" Plywood
- • Structural subflooring (T&G)
- • Heavy workbenches
- • Industrial applications
- • Countertop substrates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the actual thickness of 3/4 inch plywood?
The actual thickness of 3/4" plywood is typically 23/32" (0.719") for standard softwood plywood. This is 1/32" thinner than the nominal size. Hardwood plywood and Baltic birch are often closer to a full 3/4".
Why is plywood thinner than its stated size?
Plywood is sanded during manufacturing to create smooth surfaces, which removes material. Industry standards allow tolerances of +/- 1/32" for most thicknesses. Premium grades and hardwood plywood are typically closer to nominal thickness.
What size sheets does plywood come in?
Standard plywood sheet size is 4 feet by 8 feet (48" × 96"). Other common sizes include 4×4 (project panels), 5×5 (Baltic birch), 2×4 (handy panels), and special-order sizes up to 4×12 feet.
Is Baltic birch thicker than regular plywood?
Baltic birch uses metric sizing (3mm, 6mm, 12mm, 18mm). An 18mm sheet is approximately 0.709" - slightly thinner than 3/4" domestic plywood (0.719"). However, Baltic birch is more consistent in thickness and has no voids.
Does plywood come in exact sizes?
Sheet dimensions (4×8) are accurate, but thickness varies. If you need exact thickness, measure before cutting or purchase "shop grade" or "sanded" plywood which tends to be more consistent. For critical applications, specify your requirements when ordering.
Can I use 23/32" plywood where 3/4" is specified?
Yes, 23/32" is the actual thickness of nominal 3/4" plywood and is acceptable for virtually all 3/4" applications. Cabinet dadoes and grooves are typically cut 1/32" under to accommodate this. Building codes account for actual dimensions.
Related Resources
Dr. Snezana Lawrence
Mathematical Historian | PhD from Yale
Dr. Lawrence is a published mathematical historian with a PhD from Yale University. She ensures mathematical precision and accuracy in all our calculations, conversions, and academic score calculators. Her expertise spans computational mathematics and educational assessment.
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