What Thickness of Plywood Do I Need?
Not sure whether you need 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm or 18mm plywood? Use our thickness finder to compare the most common plywood thicknesses and see what each is generally used for.
Select a thickness below to see its typical applications, indicative weight, relative rigidity and the type of project it may suit.
Choose a Plywood Thickness
Tap a thickness to see more information.
3mm Plywood
3mm plywood is one of the thinner plywood options and is generally chosen where low weight and easy cutting are more important than structural rigidity.
Typical uses
- Lightweight panels
- Model making
- Craft projects
- Backing panels
- Decorative work
- Small components
Consider a thicker sheet if...
You need the plywood to span unsupported areas, carry loads, take repeated fixings or provide meaningful structural rigidity.
Common alternative: 4mm or 6mm plywood.
Shop 3mm Plywood4mm Plywood
4mm plywood provides more rigidity than very thin plywood while remaining relatively light and easy to handle.
Typical uses
- Cabinet backs
- Drawer components
- Lightweight lining
- Small furniture components
- Vehicle interiors
- Backing and panels
Consider a thicker sheet if...
You need better screw holding, increased stiffness or a panel that will be subject to heavier loads.
Common alternative: 6mm plywood.
Shop 4mm Plywood6mm Plywood
6mm plywood is a popular lightweight sheet for lining, furniture components and projects where some rigidity is needed without using a heavy board.
Typical uses
- Van lining
- Trailer lining
- Wall and ceiling panels
- Furniture components
- Cabinet backs
- Lightweight partitions
- General joinery
Why choose 6mm?
6mm is often a good step up from thin plywood when you want more stiffness without moving to a much heavier sheet.
Consider 9mm where greater rigidity or more substantial fixing is required.
Shop 6mm Plywood9mm Plywood
9mm plywood is a useful mid-range thickness for lining, joinery, furniture components and applications requiring more rigidity than thinner plywood.
Typical uses
- Van lining
- Furniture
- Shelving
- Cabinet construction
- Wall lining
- General joinery
- Workshop projects
Why choose 9mm?
9mm offers a useful balance between weight and stiffness and is often a practical choice when 6mm feels too flexible.
Consider 12mm where the panel needs additional rigidity or more substantial fixing.
Shop 9mm Plywood12mm Plywood
12mm plywood is a versatile thickness for furniture, joinery, shelving, lining and many general-purpose projects.
Typical uses
- Furniture
- Shelving
- Cabinet components
- Van interiors
- Worktops and work surfaces
- Joinery
- General fabrication
Why choose 12mm?
12mm is a good all-round thickness where you want a reasonably rigid panel without the additional weight of 15mm or 18mm plywood.
Consider 15mm for larger unsupported panels or when increased rigidity is important.
Shop 12mm Plywood15mm Plywood
15mm plywood provides a useful balance of rigidity, strength, weight and workability. It is a popular thickness for furniture, joinery and fabrication.
Typical uses
- Furniture
- Cabinet construction
- Shelving
- Van lining
- Joinery
- Shopfitting
- General fabrication
Why choose 15mm?
15mm is a useful middle ground when 12mm may not provide enough rigidity but 18mm would add unnecessary weight or thickness.
Consider 18mm where additional stiffness and strength are important.
Shop 15mm Plywood18mm Plywood
18mm plywood is one of the most useful thicker plywood options for substantial joinery, furniture, flooring and demanding fabrication applications.
Typical uses
- Furniture
- Heavy-duty shelving
- Flooring applications
- Workbenches
- Construction
- Joinery
- Vehicle floors
- General fabrication
Why choose 18mm?
18mm is a common choice when a thicker, stiffer sheet is required and weight is less of a concern.
Consider 15mm if you want to reduce weight and the application allows a thinner panel.
Shop 18mm Plywood22mm Plywood
22mm is a substantial plywood thickness for projects requiring a thick, rigid panel. Availability can vary by plywood type and specification.
Typical uses
- Heavy-duty furniture
- Thick shelving
- Heavy fabrication
- Specialist joinery
- Applications requiring additional panel thickness
Could 18mm be enough?
22mm adds thickness and rigidity but also increases weight. If the application does not require the additional thickness, 18mm may provide a more practical balance.
Common alternative: 18mm or 25mm depending on the application.
View 22mm Plywood25mm Plywood
25mm plywood is a heavy-duty sheet option where substantial thickness and rigidity are required. It is available in hardwood and marine plywood options at Plywood Etc.
Typical uses
- Heavy-duty flooring
- Heavy furniture
- Workbenches
- Structural applications where specified
- Heavy fabrication
- Marine applications using suitable BS1088 plywood
Do you really need 25mm?
25mm plywood is substantially heavier than 18mm. If the project does not require the additional thickness or rigidity, 18mm may be a more practical option.
Common alternative: 18mm or 22mm plywood.
Shop 25mm PlywoodPlywood Thickness Comparison
| Thickness | Indicative 8 x 4 weight | Relative rigidity | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm | Approx. 5kg | Very low | Craft, backing and lightweight panels |
| 4mm | Approx. 6–8kg | Low | Cabinet backs, lining and light joinery |
| 6mm | Approx. 9–12kg | Low–medium | Van lining, panels and components |
| 9mm | Approx. 13–17kg | Medium | Joinery, furniture and lining |
| 12mm | Approx. 18–23kg | Medium–high | Furniture, shelving and joinery |
| 15mm | Approx. 22–29kg | High | Furniture, joinery and fabrication |
| 18mm | Approx. 27–35kg | Very high | Heavy-duty joinery and flooring |
| 22mm | Approx. 33–43kg | Very high | Heavy panels and specialist applications |
| 25mm | Approx. 37–48kg | Very high | Heavy-duty work and specialist applications |
Still Not Sure Which Thickness to Choose?
Start with the job, not the thickness.
If you are lining something or need a lightweight panel, start around 4–6mm. For general joinery and furniture, 9–15mm is often the useful range. For substantial furniture, flooring or heavier fabrication, look towards 18mm and above.
Remember that thickness alone does not determine whether plywood is suitable. Plywood grade, veneer construction, moisture resistance, span, support and loading all matter.
Other Plywood Guides
Need to choose the plywood type?
Compare marine, hardwood, birch and other plywood types before choosing your sheet.
Need the right sheet size?
We stock a wide range of plywood dimensions, including full 8 x 4 sheets and smaller handy sizes.
Plywood Thickness FAQs
What is the best thickness of plywood?
There is no single best thickness. The right thickness depends on the application, span, support, loading, plywood grade and required weight. For general furniture and joinery, 9mm to 18mm covers many applications, while thinner sheets are useful for lightweight panels and thicker sheets for heavier-duty work.
Is thicker plywood always stronger?
Thickness generally increases panel stiffness, but plywood grade and construction also affect performance. A thicker non-structural panel should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for a structural application.
Is 6mm plywood strong enough for van lining?
6mm plywood is commonly used for lightweight van and vehicle lining where appropriate. The best thickness depends on the area being lined, fixing method, expected impact and the finish required.
Is 9mm plywood stronger than 6mm?
Generally, yes. Increasing thickness substantially increases a panel's resistance to bending, although actual performance depends on the plywood construction and how the panel is supported.
Is 12mm plywood good for furniture?
12mm plywood is commonly used for furniture components, shelving and joinery. Whether it is suitable depends on the dimensions, design and loading of the individual component.
Should I use 15mm or 18mm plywood?
15mm can provide a useful balance between rigidity and weight, while 18mm provides greater thickness and stiffness. If the project can use 15mm without compromising the required performance, it may reduce weight.
What is the thickest plywood available?
Plywood is manufactured in a wide range of thicknesses, with availability depending on the plywood type and supplier. Plywood Etc currently offers plywood ranges including 18mm and 25mm, with selected thicker options also available.
Does plywood thickness affect weight?
Yes. For the same sheet dimensions, a thicker plywood sheet contains more material and will normally weigh more. Actual weight varies according to the plywood species, construction and density.
Important: Weight figures shown are indicative estimates for a nominal 2440 x 1220mm sheet. Actual plywood weight varies by species, veneer construction, moisture content and manufacturer. Rigidity descriptions are general guidance and should not be used as structural design calculations. Always check the manufacturer's technical information for your specific product and application.
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