Quck answer
To calculate the weight of plywood, you need to know the dimensions and the density of the plywood. The formula to calculate the weight is: weight = length x width x thickness x density. The density of plywood can vary depending on the type of wood used. For example, the density of softwood plywood is around 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter, while hardwood plywood can have a density of around 0.7 grams per cubic centimeter. Once you have the dimensions and the density, you can plug them into the formula to calculate the weight of the plywood.
Plywood is made from more than 70 different types of wood. The adhesives used in the manufacturing process weigh more than the wood itself. Due to the mix of materials, plywood weight calculations may vary. However, there are general formulas that can be used as guidelines to calculate the weight of plywood.
The Formula
Engineers have simplified weight calculations for plywood by using square foot measurements. For engineering purposes, it is determined that a generic square foot of 3/4-inch-thick hardwood plywood weighs 2.3 pounds. This means that a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood, which equals 32 square feet, weighs just over 70 pounds.
Hard and Soft
Hardwood is denser than softwood, so a sheet of fir plywood will typically weigh less than a sheet of maple. When uncertain, it is recommended to estimate on the heavier side, especially when loading multiple pieces or estimating the weight for a floor.
The Lightest Plywood
The type of wood used in plywood affects its weight. The lightest hardwood plywood is usually made from poplar, alder, or mahogany. Softwood varieties tend to be lighter than hardwood, but the lightest plywood overall is typically pine. If an extremely lightweight plywood is needed, there is also an ultralight option available.
Actual Versus Nominal
Plywood thickness can also impact its weight. Even if plywood is labeled as 3/4-inch-thick, it is likely to be slightly thinner. Plywood is sized nominally, meaning its thickness is a general reference. For instance, a plywood piece labeled as 3/4 inch may actually measure 13/16 inch and therefore weigh slightly less than the nominal measurement.
Different Thicknesses
The weight calculation per square foot varies for specific nominal thicknesses of plywood. For example, 1/4-inch-thick Baltic birch plywood is estimated to weigh about 0.8 pounds per square foot, resulting in a sheet weight of just over 25 pounds. On the other hand, 1/2-inch-thick birch plywood is estimated at 1.5 pounds per square foot, making a sheet weigh approximately 48 pounds.
Practical Purposes
While it is possible to do the math and calculate weight individually, most cabinetmakers and builders use simpler calculations based on a generic weight per sheet. These calculations typically lean towards the heavier side.
Hardwood Per Sheet
- 3/4 inch: 75 pounds
- 1/2 inch: 50 pounds
- 1/4 inch: 25 pounds
Softwood Per Sheet
- 3/4 inch: 65 pounds
- 1/2 inch: 40 pounds
- 1/4 inch: 22 pounds
Other Sheet Materials
Plywood may not always be actual plywood, but an engineered product. Many cabinet and furniture makers use particle board or medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is heavier than plywood. MDF has a dense particle board core with a hardwood veneer, giving it the appearance of ordinary plywood. It weighs between 90 and 100 pounds per sheet. To determine if it is MDF, check the side – if there are layers, it’s plywood; if it’s solid, it’s MDF.
The Typical Capacity
A typical half-ton pickup truck has a safe capacity of approximately 1,000 pounds. If we consider a dozen sheets of 3/4-inch softwood plywood, they weigh around 850 pounds. When you add your own body weight, this is roughly the maximum number of sheets you can safely transport on a half-ton pickup truck.
