How much does a sheet of 3/4 plywood weigh?
A 4 × 8 ft sheet of 3/4 in softwood plywood weighs about 74 pounds (73.7 lb) — roughly 2.3 pounds per square foot at a typical density of 37 lb/cu ft.
How to work it out
- 4 × 8 ft sheet = 32 sq ft × 3/4 in thick = 2 cu ft
- × 37 lb/cu ft = 73.7 lb per sheet (2.3 lb per sq ft)
- ≈ 73.7 lb (Softwood plywood, dry)
“3/4 plywood” covers two different products. Sanded and cabinet-grade sheets are usually close to a full 3/4 in; structural sheathing and subfloor sold as “3/4” are 23/32 in, and the grade stamp says so. The gap is only 1/32 in, but it is about 3 lb a sheet — and it matters more for a dado than for your back.
Adjust for your project
- Weight per sheet
- 73.7 lb
- Weight per square foot of sheet
- 2.3 lb
- Density used (wood plus water)
- 37 lb/cu ft
- Volume
- 2 cu ft
- Softwood plywood density varies by mill, species mix and glue — this uses a typical figure. The label, or one sheet on a bathroom scale, beats any estimate.
- Sheets stored outside or in a damp yard pick up water and can weigh noticeably more than this.
One 4 × 8 ft sheet of softwood plywood, by thickness
| Thickness | Weight per sheet | Weight per square foot of sheet |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 24.6 lb | 0.77 lb |
| 3/8 in | 36.8 lb | 1.15 lb |
| 1/2 in | 49.1 lb | 1.53 lb |
| 5/8 in | 61.4 lb | 1.92 lb |
| 23/32 in | 70.6 lb | 2.21 lb |
| 3/4 in | 73.7 lb | 2.3 lb |
What to know about lifting and hauling 3/4 plywood
At about 74 lb, a full sheet is within what one person can lift; the size is the hard part. Thirty-two square feet catches the wind, and your arms end up spread wider than is comfortable. Carry it on edge with one hand under the bottom edge and the other steadying the top, or use a panel carrier. With two people it is easy.
- 23/32 vs 3/4. Sheathing stamped 23/32 comes out near 71 lb. APA’s Panel Design Specification lists about 2.2 lb per square foot for it, against 2.3 for full 3/4 in — the same figures this calculator is built on.
- OSB and MDF are heavier. A 3/4 in OSB sheet is about 80 lb and MDF about 94 lb, so an MDF cabinet side is noticeably harder to wrestle onto a saw than plywood of the same size.
- Moisture adds weight. Panels leave the mill dry, but a sheet left outside or stored on a damp slab soaks up water, especially along the edges and in OSB. A damp sheet is heavier and may not lie flat, so store sheets flat and off the floor.
- A vehicle load. Ten sheets of 3/4 softwood plywood come to about 737 lb. For a floor, work out the sheet count first — How many sheets of plywood for a 12x12 subfloor — then multiply by the per-sheet weight and compare with your payload.
Building with solid wood as well? How much does a board foot of oak weigh covers the hardwood side, and the metric framing example is Weight of 45 × 95 mm × 2.4 m timber.
Different size? Use the full Wood Weight Calculator.
What you’ll need
- Plywood panel carrierBudget price
Hooks under a 4×8 sheet so one person can carry it on edge without spreading their arms wide. Worth it once you are moving more than a sheet or two of 3/4 in plywood.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Ratchet tie-down strapsBudget price
Holds a load of lumber on a roof rack, trailer or truck bed. Strap long loads at two points and flag the overhang.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Digital calipersBudget price
For measuring actual board and plywood thickness to the thousandth — useful for sizing dadoes and checking planed stock.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 OSB weigh?
About 79.9 lb — roughly 10% more than softwood plywood, in line with APA’s panel weights.
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 MDF weigh?
About 93.6 lb at a typical 47 lb/cu ft. MDF brands vary, so check the label.
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood weigh?
About 49.1 lb (1.53 lb per square foot). Sheathing sold as “1/2” is 15/32 in thick and comes out near 46 lb.
How much does an 18 mm sheet of birch plywood weigh?
A 1220 × 2440 mm (4 × 8 ft) sheet of 18 mm birch plywood is about 80.2 lb (36.4 kg) at a typical 42 lb/cu ft. Baltic birch also comes in 1525 × 1525 mm (5 × 5 ft) sheets, which are about a fifth lighter.
Other common sizes
- How much does a 2x4x8 weigh — 7.83 lb
- How much does a board foot of oak weigh — 3.64 lb
- Weight of 45 × 95 mm × 2.4 m timber — 5.64 kg
Sources
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory — Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-282), Chapter 4: Moisture relations and physical properties of wood (opens in a new tab) — Density at any moisture content from basic specific gravity (eqs. 4-13 and 4-14, fiber saturation taken as 30%), and table 4-1, the average moisture content of green heartwood and sapwood by species.
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory — Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-282), Chapter 5: Mechanical properties of wood (opens in a new tab) — Specific gravity of common species at 12% moisture.
- The Wood Database (Eric Meier) (opens in a new tab) — Average dried weights by species.
- APA – The Engineered Wood Association — Panel Design Specification (Form D510) (opens in a new tab) — Approximate panel weights: plywood about 2.3 lb/sq ft at 3/4 in, 2.2 at 23/32 in, 1.5 at 1/2 in; OSB about 10% heavier.