How heavy is a sheet of plywood, and what will a full order weigh on the truck? This plywood weight calculator answers both. Enter the length, width, thickness and density of your panel, choose the plywood type, and it shows the weight and area per sheet along with the total for your order, wastage included. If your supplier quotes per sheet, per m², per ft² or per kg, pick that basis, add labor, edge banding, packaging, shipping and tax, and the tool gives you a grand total in your own currency.
Table of Contents
Weight of a Standard 8 × 4 ft Sheet at Common Thicknesses
A standard sheet is 2440 × 1220 mm and covers about 2.98 m². Here is how its weight changes with thickness, using an example density of 650 kg/m³:
| Thickness | Weight per sheet |
|---|---|
| 6 mm | 11.61 kg |
| 9 mm | 17.41 kg |
| 12 mm | 23.22 kg |
| 18 mm | 34.83 kg |
| 25 mm | 48.37 kg |
Weight grows in direct proportion to thickness, so a 25 mm sheet is more than four times as heavy as a 6 mm one. Density matters just as much: at 18 mm, a light softwood panel (450 kg/m³) weighs about 24.1 kg, while a dense film-faced panel (850 kg/m³) weighs about 45.5 kg. Enter your own density and thickness above for your exact figure.
How to Calculate Plywood Weight (Formula)
To calculate plywood weight, multiply length × width × thickness (all in metres) to get the volume, then multiply by the density: Weight (kg) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Thickness (m) × Density (kg/m³).
For a 2.44 m × 1.22 m × 18 mm sheet at 650 kg/m³: 2.44 × 1.22 × 0.018 × 650 = 34.83 kg.
How to Find Plywood Density
Plywood density is weight divided by volume: Density = Weight ÷ (Length × Width × Thickness). If a 2440 × 1220 × 18 mm sheet weighs 34.83 kg, its volume is 0.0536 m³, so its density is 34.83 ÷ 0.0536 = 650 kg/m³. Weigh one sheet on a scale, enter the result into this formula, and use the density in the calculator above for a more accurate order total.
Plywood Weight per Square Metre and per Square Foot
Plywood weight per square metre is simply thickness (in metres) × density. At an example density of 650 kg/m³, 18 mm plywood weighs 11.7 kg/m² (about 1.09 kg/ft²).
| Thickness | kg per m² | kg per ft² | lb per ft² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mm | 3.90 | 0.36 | 0.80 |
| 9 mm | 5.85 | 0.54 | 1.20 |
| 12 mm | 7.80 | 0.72 | 1.60 |
| 18 mm | 11.70 | 1.09 | 2.40 |
| 25 mm | 16.25 | 1.51 | 3.33 |
Density changes these numbers directly. At 18 mm, light softwood plywood (450 kg/m³) is about 8.1 kg/m², while dense film-faced plywood (850 kg/m³) is about 15.3 kg/m². Multiply the figure above by your panel area to get its weight.
Plywood Sheet Weight in Pounds (4 × 8 ft Sheets)
A US 4 × 8 ft sheet (1219 × 2438 mm) covers 32 ft². The table below shows its weight in pounds and kilograms at an example density of 650 kg/m³, using nominal thicknesses:
| Thickness | Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 12.3 kg | 27.1 lb |
| 3/8 in | 18.4 kg | 40.6 lb |
| 1/2 in | 24.5 kg | 54.1 lb |
| 5/8 in | 30.7 kg | 67.6 lb |
| 3/4 in | 36.8 kg | 81.2 lb |
| 1 in | 49.1 kg | 108.2 lb |
So a 3/4 in sheet of plywood weighs roughly 81 lb and a 1/2 in sheet roughly 54 lb at this density. Real sheets vary: light softwood sheathing weighs less, dense birch or film-faced plywood weighs more, and US panels are often slightly thinner than their nominal size. For an exact figure, choose your plywood type above or enter the density from your supplier's datasheet.
Planning Transport and Handling
Plywood is ordered by the sheet, but a vehicle or a lift cares about weight. A stack of 20 sheets of 18 mm plywood at 650 kg/m³ weighs about 697 kg (20 × 34.83 kg), far more than most people expect from a pile of thin boards.
To plan a delivery, enter your quantity in the calculator and read the Total Weight (raw) figure, then compare it with the load limit of your vehicle, trolley or lift. If you are cutting sheets to size, the Material to Procure figure with wastage shows what you actually need to buy and carry.
Per Sheet, Per m², Per ft² or Per kg: Comparing Plywood Quotes
Suppliers rarely quote the same way, which makes prices hard to compare. The Price Basis field lets you enter each quote as the supplier gave it.
To compare by hand, convert to one unit. A quote of $25 per sheet for a 2440 × 1220 mm panel equals about $8.40 per m² ($25 ÷ 2.98 m²) or roughly $0.78 per ft². Another supplier quoting $9 per m² is then easy to compare. Just make sure the basis you select matches the number you type, because a per-sheet price entered under "per kg" gives a wrong total.
Plywood Types and Their Typical Density
Density decides weight, so the panel type you pick changes the result. These are reference ranges only; species, adhesive, number of plies and moisture content all move the real value.
| Type | Density (kg/m³) | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Softwood (Pine/Fir) | 450 – 640 | Sheathing, subflooring |
| Hardwood (Birch/Oak) | 600 – 770 | Furniture, cabinets, flooring |
| Marine grade | 500 – 750 | Docks, boats, damp locations |
| Poplar / combi core | 550 – 650 | Cabinets, general woodworking |
| MDF core | 700 – 800 | Painted furniture, cabinet doors |
| Film-faced / shuttering | 650 – 850 | Concrete formwork |
Moisture is the biggest source of error: a damp panel can weigh noticeably more than the same panel dry. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory's Wood Handbook explains how moisture content affects wood weight in detail. For the most accurate result, use the density printed on your supplier's datasheet, and remember that a panel sold as "18 mm" can differ slightly in real thickness.
Weight of an 18 mm Sheet by Plywood Type
Using the density ranges above, here is what a standard 2440 × 1220 × 18 mm sheet weighs for each type:
| Type | Weight per sheet |
|---|---|
| Softwood (Pine/Fir) | 24.1 – 34.3 kg |
| Hardwood (Birch/Oak) | 32.1 – 41.3 kg |
| Marine grade | 26.8 – 40.2 kg |
| Poplar / combi core | 29.5 – 34.8 kg |
| MDF core | 37.5 – 42.9 kg |
| Film-faced / shuttering | 34.8 – 45.5 kg |
This is why marine plywood and birch plywood weights vary between brands. Always check the supplier's density if weight matters for transport or lifting.
FAQs
How much does an 18 mm sheet of plywood weigh?
A standard 2440 × 1220 × 18 mm sheet weighs roughly 24 kg for light softwood and up to about 46 kg for dense film-faced plywood. A typical value is around 35 kg at 650 kg/m³.
How do I find the weight of many sheets at once?
Enter the number of sheets in the Quantity field. The calculator multiplies the weight per sheet and adds your wastage percentage to show the total to procure.
Can I use feet and inches?
Yes. Length and width accept mm, cm, m, in and ft, and thickness accepts mm, cm and in. You can mix them, and the tool converts everything for you.
Does it work if my supplier prices by weight?
Yes. Choose "per kg" as the price basis and the tool uses the calculated weight to work out the material cost.
Can I save the result for a quote?
Yes. You can save it as an image or a PDF, or share it through WhatsApp.
How much does a sheet of plywood weigh?
A standard 4 × 8 ft (2440 × 1220 mm) sheet weighs about 12 kg (27 lb) at 1/4 in and about 49 kg (108 lb) at 1 in, at a typical density of 650 kg/m³. Most common sheets fall between 17 kg (9 mm) and 35 kg (18 mm).
How much does 12 mm plywood weigh?
A 2440 × 1220 × 12 mm sheet weighs about 23.2 kg at 650 kg/m³, or 7.8 kg per square metre.
How much does 3/4 inch plywood weigh?
A 4 × 8 ft sheet of 3/4 inch plywood weighs roughly 81 lb (36.8 kg) at 650 kg/m³. Light softwood sheets weigh less and dense hardwood sheets weigh more.
What is the weight of plywood per square metre?
At 650 kg/m³, plywood weighs 0.65 kg per m² for every millimetre of thickness. So 9 mm is 5.85 kg/m² and 18 mm is 11.7 kg/m².
Quick Summary
Enter your sheet size, thickness, density, quantity and wastage, choose the price basis your supplier uses, and this plywood weight calculator returns weight, area and a full cost total in your currency.
Disclaimer
This is a free estimation tool for planning and quoting. Results use standard volume-density math and reference densities, so please confirm final specifications and prices with your supplier before ordering.