Quick answer
9/16 inch equals 0.5625 inch, or 14.2875 mm, by arithmetic. On a plywood order, however, “9/16” is not enough information to design a cabinet part. The label may describe a nominal size, a specified manufactured thickness, or simply a seller’s rounded category. The delivered sheet can also have a stated tolerance.
Measure the actual panel and read its grade stamp or product data before machining dados, setting CNC depths, choosing fasteners, or matching an existing cabinet. Do not substitute 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch plywood just because either is close on a tape measure; the difference changes grooves, reveals, hardware clearances and finished dimensions.
What “9/16 plywood” can mean
The fraction describes a target thickness category. It does not tell you the face species, core construction, grade, glue bond, span rating, surface finish or intended use. Those properties must come from the actual panel specification.
Structural panels use grade stamps and performance information that should be read as a system. APA explains that Performance Category and decimal thickness labeling both appear in the structural-panel market; its panel thickness tolerance and labeling reference is the right starting point for stamped sheathing. Decorative cabinet plywood may use different product descriptions, so the supplier’s technical sheet and an actual measurement still control close-fitting work.
That conversion is exact. It is not proof that a particular sheet will measure exactly 0.5625 inch at every point.
9/16 vs nearby plywood sizes
| Label | Exact fraction | Metric conversion | Difference from 9/16 | Cabinet-planning consequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 0.5000 in | 12.7000 mm | 1/16 in thinner | A groove sized for 9/16 can leave a loose fit; finished box dimensions change. |
| 9/16 in | 0.5625 in | 14.2875 mm | Reference | Use only after confirming the panel’s stated and measured thickness. |
| 5/8 in | 0.6250 in | 15.8750 mm | 1/16 in thicker | A part may not enter a 9/16 groove; reveals and hardware relationships change. |
| 15/32 in | 0.46875 in | 11.90625 mm | 3/32 in thinner | Commonly associated with a 1/2 Performance Category in structural-panel terminology; not a 9/16 substitute. |
For broader context, use Berta’s actual-versus-nominal plywood thickness chart, the load, span and support thickness guide, and the dedicated 1/2-inch plywood cabinet-use reference. Those pages answer adjacent questions; this article addresses the specific 9/16 selection problem.
Where 9/16 can fit—and where the label is insufficient
For cabinets, 9/16 may appear in imported specifications, replacement work or proprietary systems. Its suitability depends on the part. A short divider, a long loaded shelf and a door panel impose different demands. Use Berta’s sheet-size and thickness overview to map the full material schedule before ordering.
A five-check workflow
- Identify the part. Record span, support, finish, edge exposure and hardware.
- Read the exact listing or stamp. Capture grade, construction, thickness designation and intended use.
- Measure representative sheets. Check more than one point if a tight joint depends on the result.
- Cut a test joint. Confirm the delivered material fits the groove, fastener and hardware plan.
- Freeze the cut list. Use the measured material, not a generic fractional assumption.
Current Berta alternatives to compare
Berta does not currently list a 9/16-inch plywood variant. The following are adjacent, active options—not equivalents. Choose them only after the design is recalculated for their actual listed thickness.
1/2-inch BB/BB Baltic Birch
The active 4×8 listing identifies an unfinished 12 mm option with a solid birch multi-ply core. It is useful when the design can be built around 1/2-inch material and exposed layered edges matter.
Check the 1/2-inch option
1/2-inch prefinished birch plywood
This active 4×8 option is listed at 12 mm with a UV-finished birch face over a multi-ply poplar core and finish on both sides. It suits projects designed around its ready-finished surface and listed thickness.
Review the prefinished panelAlso compare the live 1/2-inch plywood collection, 3/4-inch plywood collection and cabinet-grade plywood collection. Plan sheet quantities with the plywood and MDF calculator, optimize parts with the plywood cut-list calculator, and check terminology in the plywood FAQ.
FAQ
Is 9/16 plywood the same as 1/2 inch?
No. Mathematically, 9/16 is 1/16 inch thicker than 1/2. A supplier may use nominal categories, but the labels are not interchangeable for joinery or hardware planning.
Is 9/16 plywood the same as 5/8 inch?
No. It is 1/16 inch thinner. A 5/8 sheet should not be forced into a groove or assembly designed for a verified 9/16 panel.
What is 9/16 plywood in millimeters?
The exact conversion is 14.2875 mm. A listed metric product may use a nearby manufactured thickness, so read the specification rather than rounding it into a match.
Can I use 9/16 plywood for cabinet boxes?
Only if the cabinet design, joinery, supports, fasteners and hardware are engineered for that exact panel. There is no universal cabinet-box approval based on thickness alone.
Why does my plywood measure differently from the fraction?
The fraction may be a Performance Category, nominal trade description or rounded listing. Manufacturing tolerances and sanding can also affect measured thickness. Read the panel data and measure before close-fitting work.
Bottom line
Convert 9/16 accurately, then stop treating the fraction as a complete specification. The correct panel is the one whose measured thickness, grade, core, finish and intended use all match the part. If the stocked alternative is 1/2 or 3/4 inch, redesign the joint and assembly around that panel instead of calling it “close enough.”
Source scope: Berta product specifications and images were checked November 1, 2026. Structural-panel terminology was cross-checked with APA’s plywood selection reference and thickness-labeling guidance. No structural rating is inferred for a Berta decorative cabinet panel.
