Plywood Thickness Chart — Full Guide to Actual vs. Nominal Sizes
Introduction
If you've ever ordered plywood and wondered why a "3/4 inch" sheet doesn't actually measure 0.75", you're not alone. Plywood thicknesses follow a mix of nominal (advertised) and actual (real) measurements, and the difference often confuses builders, cabinet makers, and DIY users.
This simple, clear guide breaks down every common plywood thickness, explains why the dimensions vary, and includes a complete Plywood Thickness Chart you can reference for all future projects.
Whether you're building cabinets, drawers, shelves, or using Berta Baltic Birch and Prefinished Plywood, understanding thickness is key to getting perfect results.
What "Nominal" vs. "Actual" Thickness Means
Nominal Thickness
The label you see at the store (e.g., 1/4", 1/2", 3/4").
Actual Thickness
What the sheet really measures with calipers. Often slightly thinner — for example, 3/4" plywood usually measures around 23/32".
Why the Difference?
Because plywood is compressed, sanded, and finished during manufacturing. The sanding process reduces final thickness. This is normal — every plywood category follows this pattern.
Plywood Thickness Chart (Most Common Sizes)
Below is the clean, accurate chart your customers and builders will reference.
📏 Standard Plywood Thickness Reference
Complete guide to nominal vs. actual measurements for all common plywood sizes
| Nominal Thickness | Actual Thickness (Inches) | Actual Thickness (mm) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 0.118" | 3 mm | Backing, templates |
| 3/16" | 0.1875" | 4.8 mm | Craft projects |
| 1/4" | 0.20" | 5 mm | Cabinet backs, paneling |
| 11/32" | 0.344" | 8.7 mm | Sheathing |
| 3/8" | 0.354" | 9 mm | Light shelving, underlayment |
| 15/32" | 0.455" | 11.5 mm | Sheathing |
| 1/2" Popular | 0.472" | 12 mm | Shelves, drawer sides |
| 19/32" | 0.574" | 14.6 mm | Sheathing |
| 5/8" | 0.59" | 15 mm | Subfloors, drawer boxes |
| 23/32" | 0.709" | 18 mm | Cabinet Grade |
| 3/4" Most Used | 0.70–0.72" | 18 mm | Cabinets, furniture, shelves |
| 7/8" | 0.83" | 21 mm | Heavy-duty shelving |
| 1" | 0.98" | 25 mm | Industrial, workbenches |
Note: Cabinet-grade plywood, especially Berta Baltic Birch, follows metric thicknesses (like 6mm, 12mm, 18mm), which are significantly more consistent than American softwood plywood.
Metric Plywood Thicknesses (Common in Baltic Birch)
🌲 Baltic Birch Metric Conversion Chart
Standard metric sizes used in European and cabinet-grade plywood
| Metric Size | Imperial Equivalent | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | 1/8" | Cabinet backs, drawer bottoms |
| 6 mm | 1/4" | Paneling, templates, jigs |
| 9 mm | 3/8" | Light duty applications |
| 12 mm Popular | 1/2" | Drawer sides, smaller shelves |
| 15 mm | 19/32" (approx) | Mid-weight shelving |
| 18 mm Cabinet Standard | 23/32" / 3/4" | Cabinet boxes, furniture |
| 24 mm | 1" | Heavy-duty, workbenches |
Pro Tip
Baltic Birch Plywood, especially the 18mm (3/4") sheets, is known for being precise and stable — making it ideal for drawers, cabinetry, and premium furniture.
Why Actual Thickness Matters in Real Projects
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Drawer Box Construction Using Berta 18" and 21" Drawer Slides requires perfectly matched thickness. 18mm Baltic Birch pairs beautifully with Berta slides — the fit is exact.
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Cabinet Boxes For strong cabinet sides, 3/4" (18mm) is standard. For backs, 1/4" and 1/2" are common choices.
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Shelving Strength Thicker sheets = less sag. Use 3/4" for long spans or kitchen shelves.
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Edge-Banding Fit You must match your edge banding (e.g., 3/4" banding) to the real, not nominal, thickness.
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CNC and Precise Cuts Actual thickness makes a difference in joinery like dadoes, rabbets, and slots.
Where Plywood Thickness Varies Most
Not all plywood categories measure the same. Here's an overview:
Hardwood Plywood (Oak, Maple, Sande)
More consistent than softwood, but still slightly under nominal thickness.
Baltic Birch (Berta Store)
Exceptionally accurate because it's produced to metric standards. Minimal variance.
Prefinished Plywood (Berta Store)
Finished coating adds durability but the core thickness remains consistent and reliable.
Plywood Thickness for Different Projects
🗄️ Cabinets
- 18mm / 3/4" for sides, bottoms, tops
- 12mm / 1/2" for shelves
- 6mm / 1/4" for backs
🗃️ Drawer Boxes
- 12mm / 1/2" or 15mm / 5/8"
- Baltic Birch recommended
- Pairs with soft-close slides
📚 Shelves
- 18mm / 3/4" for long spans
- 12mm / 1/2" for short spans
- Consider load weight
👔 Closets
- 18mm / 3/4" industry standard
- Maximum strength for hanging
- Prefinished saves time
🏠 Walls & Paneling
- 1/4" or 3/8"
- Lightweight installation
- Easy to handle
Berta Store Materials That Fit Perfectly Into Thickness Standards
Premium Products for Professional Results
✔ Baltic Birch Plywood — Extremely Uniform Thickness
Ideal for drawers, shelves, and any premium cabinet build. The most consistent thickness you can get.
→ Shop Baltic Birch Plywood✔ Prefinished Plywood — Ready to Install
Perfect for closets, kitchen interiors, and fast builds. Skip the finishing step entirely.
→ Shop Prefinished Plywood✔ Berta Hinges — Soft-Close & Durable
Ideal for 18mm cabinet doors. Professional quality that lasts for years.
→ Shop Door Hinges✔ Berta Drawer Slides — Full Extension Soft-Close
Engineered for 12–18mm drawer sides. Smooth operation, maximum extension.
→ Shop Drawer SlidesFinal Thoughts
Understanding plywood thickness is essential for clean, stable, professional-quality building — especially in cabinetry and furniture work. Actual thickness determines how joints fit, how shelves support weight, and how hardware installs.
When you want consistent, reliable thickness — especially for drawers and cabinets — Berta Baltic Birch and Berta Prefinished Plywood provide the accuracy and strength builders rely on.
Ready to Build With Precision?
Explore Berta Store's complete collection of Baltic Birch, Prefinished Plywood, Hinges, and Drawer Slides — all engineered for professional results.
