Plywood and Sheet Good Sizes

Sheets come in a small number of standard sizes. Anything else is a special order. Knowing which sizes exist saves a second trip.

Sheet size	Coverage	Common uses
4 × 8 ft	32 sq ft	Default for everything — walls, floors, roofs, subfloor
4 × 10 ft	40 sq ft	Tall walls, long roof runs, vanities
5 × 5 ft	25 sq ft	Small rooms, cabinets — far less waste than 4×8
4 × 12 ft	48 sq ft	Long trailer builds, sheet goods for tall cabinets
8 × 12 ft	96 sq ft	Large commercial floors — needs a trailer or panel saw

Common thicknesses

Thickness	Name	Use
5/8"	sheathing	Roofs and walls that carry no floor load
3/4"	subfloor	Under tile, under hardwood — the standard residential choice
1/2"	underlayment grade	Over existing subfloor; not for structural use
3/8"	underlayment	Second layer over subfloor, or shelf backs
1/4"	cabinet back	Cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, template stock

Grades and stamps

• Exterior — glue is rated for wet conditions. Required for any sheathing exposed to weather during construction.
• Exposure 1 / Exposure 2 — Exposure 1 survives construction delays; Exposure 2 is for fully protected interior use.
• Stamped C-D, A-C, B-C — the letters refer to face and back veneer grades. A face is sanded smooth; C is rougher and unpainted-quality.
• OSB — structural sheathing only, not a finish material. Not suitable for cabinetry or where moisture is present.
• MDF — smooth, machinable, uniform edge for painted cabinetry. Heavier and sags more than plywood.

Plywood sold as "CDX" is the workhorse: C grade face, D back, X for exterior glue. CDX is what you want for almost all subfloor and sheathing.

Where to buy

Compare current pricing across major suppliers — prices vary by region and season.

plywood 3/4 4x8 OSB sheathing MDF sheet plywood 1/4

Related tools

• Plywood sheets
• Plywood sizes explained
• Lumber waste