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Calculate how many sheets of 4×8 plywood you need for your floor, wall, ceiling, or any project. Estimate coverage area, waste percentage, and total material costs instantly.
4×8 (32 sq ft each)
The ceiling function ⌈⌉ rounds up to ensure you have enough material. A 4×8 sheet = 32 sq ft.
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Finding the number of sheets of plywood needed for a floor, wall, ceiling, or cabinet begins with finding the area that needs to be covered. Calculate the area by multiplying the length and width of the space in feet.
Divide the total square footage by the square footage of a plywood sheet to find the number of sheets needed. A standard 4×8 sheet covers 32 sq ft.
Sheets = Total Area ÷ 32
Room: 15 ft × 17 ft = 255 sq ft
With 10% waste: 255 × 1.10 = 280.5 sq ft
Sheets needed = 280.5 ÷ 32 = 8.77
Round up = 9 sheets
Tip: Always add 10% to your total square footage for waste, then round up to the nearest full sheet when ordering.
Composed of 3-5 layers of wood glued together. The standard plywood most people are familiar with.
Wood strands compressed with glue. Commonly used for sheathing roofs, floors, and walls.
Small wood fibers compressed with glue. Offers smooth surface, commonly used in cabinetry.
Small wood particles compressed with glue. Often used for shelving, furniture, and floor sheathing.
Boards glued edge to edge, sandwiched between veneer. Very strong and rigid, used in furniture.
Used for furniture and cabinets. Has smooth/sanded finish displaying grain and color.
Strong and thick structural plywood for sheathing roofs and structures. No finished surface.
Made with waterproof glue for exterior and marine applications. Resists delamination.
Plywood is sold in standard nominal thicknesses, but actual thickness is slightly less due to sanding. Here are the common sizes:
| Nominal | Actual | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 0.2031" | Backing, drawer bottoms, crafts |
| 3/8" | 0.3437" | Wall sheathing, underlayment |
| 1/2" | 0.4687" | Sheathing, cabinets, furniture |
| 5/8" | 0.5937" | Subflooring, roofing |
| 3/4" | 0.7031" | Subflooring, shelving, cabinets |
| 1" | 0.9687" | Heavy-duty applications |
Note: Actual thickness is often slightly thinner than nominal. This won't matter for most projects but is important for precision work like cabinetry.
| Size | Dimensions (in) | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×8 | 48" × 96" | 32 sq ft | Most common, general purpose |
| 4×10 | 48" × 120" | 40 sq ft | Tall walls, fewer seams |
| 4×12 | 48" × 144" | 48 sq ft | Long runs, large areas |
| 5×5 | 60" × 60" | 25 sq ft | Specialty applications |
A standard 4×8 plywood sheet is 32 square feet in area (4 ft wide × 8 ft long). In metric, this is approximately 1.2m × 2.4m or 2.88 square meters.
For a 15×17 ft floor (255 sq ft), you'll need approximately 9 sheets of 4×8 plywood with 10% waste: (255 × 1.10) ÷ 32 = 8.76, rounded up to 9 sheets.
For simple rectangular layouts, 5-10% waste is typical. For complex cuts or irregular shapes, plan for 10-15%. Projects with many angles may need 15-20% extra.
Grades (A, B, C, D) indicate surface quality. "A" is the smoothest and paintable, while "D" has visible defects. A-C is for exterior use, B-C for structural sheathing.
Use 1/4" for backing and crafts, 1/2" for wall sheathing, 5/8" to 3/4" for subfloors and roofs. Always check local building codes for structural applications.
Yes! OSB, MDF, particle board, and other sheet materials typically come in the same standard sizes as plywood. Just adjust the price per sheet as needed.
Plan your layout before cutting, create a cutting diagram, cut largest pieces first, use factory edges when possible, and save offcuts for smaller pieces.
Always round up to the next whole sheet. It's better to have a small amount left over than to run short during installation. This calculator automatically rounds up.
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