How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold? Plywood Strength Chart, Load Calculator

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Man looking at plywood stacked on a scale with an elephant on top of it wonders how much weight can plywood hold.

The first question that comes to mind for many who purchase plywood is, how much weight can plywood hold?

This is mainly because plywood, although it’s very sustainable, doesn’t look like much at first glance.

However, looks are deceiving in this case, because plywood is a lot stronger than it seems. Plywood is actually engineered to support weight and provide strength.

For instance, a 12-inch by 36-inch cut of plywood with a thickness of 1/4 inch will support a weight of five pounds, while a 12-inch by 36-inch cut of plywood with a thickness of 3/4 inches can support up to 50 pounds.

This makes it clear that the thickness of plywood12 makes all the difference when it comes to weight bearing and strength.1

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

When looking at the complete answer to ‘how much weight can plywood hold, it is essential to consider the total weight capacity of plywood.14

Plywood Weight Capacity

Plywood weight capacity is directly related to the flexibility of the plywood, thickness of the plywood, type of plywood, glue used to finish off the plywood as well as the layering process of the plywood.4

Graph that shows the correlation of thickness of plywood and its weight capacity.
The thickness of plywood / Weight capacity11

On Center Measurement Thickness of Plywood Weight Capacity
16 on center (oc) Thickness: 19 – 32” Weight capacity: 185 pounds
24 on center (oc) Thickness: 19 – 32” Weight capacity: 270 pounds
20 on center (oc) Thickness: 23 – 32” Weight capacity: 240 pounds
32 on center (oc) Thickness: 7 – 8” Weight capacity: 295 pounds

What Does Plywood Look Like?

So, what does plywood look like? Plywood is thin composite sheet manufactured from wood veneers.

These veneers are pressed, heated, and ultimately arranged at opposite angles to ensure maximum strength and water resistance.2

Image of a plywood and its different sections (Face Veneer, Crossband, Lumber Core, Crossband, Back Veneer).

There are 14 different types of plywood that are popularly used for furniture-making and other purposes.3

Type of Plywood Characteristics and Uses
Softwood Plywood Softwood plywood is made of softwood wood like pinewood, redwood, and spruce. Softwood plywood is used for building sub-floors, sheathing, fencing, and even dog kennels.
Hardwood Plywood13 Hardwood plywood is made of hardwood wood like birchwood, oak, and maple. Because hardwood plywood is designed with 7 layers, the sheets are very strong and generally used for instruments, signage, and furniture.
Aircraft Plywood Aircraft plywood is higher grade than hardwood and is typically used for boats, furniture, and aircraft fields, to name a few applications. Aircraft plywood consists of veneers that are thinner than normal and is made of mahogany and birch wood which gives the plywood water and heat resistance.
Exterior Plywood As the name implies, exterior plywood is typically used for exterior purposes and is made using adverse weather-resistant glue. Exterior plywood is usually made from Douglas Fir wood.
Lumber Core Plywood Three layers of plies make up lumber core plywood. The inner plywood core consists of wood that has been glued together into a solid mass, while the outer part of the plywood consists of hardwood.
Structural Plywood Structural plywood is also known as sheathing and can be used indoors and outdoors. However, when used outdoors, structural plywood often succumbs to bad weather. Structural plywood is typically used for roof bracing, beams, and subfloors.
Composite Plywood Composite plywood is not much different from conventional plywood except for the fiberboard external layer that is covered with hardwood. Composite plywood is popularly used for cabinetry.
Overlaid Plywood Overlaid plywood is also known as decorative plywood and is mainly used as a finishing layer. Overlaid plywood is made from red oak, teak, birch, ash, and rosewood and is hardy, water-resistant, and even scratch resistant.
Marine Plywood Marine plywood holds up exceptionally well in regions that are humid and wet and is mold and mildew-resistant. Marine plywood is covered with a layer of water-resistant glue and is used in dock and boat manufacturing.
Tropical Plywood Because tropical plywood consists of different tropical wood, which gives it superior strength. Tropical plywood is used for structural purposes and flooring.
Type of plywood: Flexible Plywood Flexible plywood is also called bending plywood and is used for decorative purposes during the furniture-making process. This type of plywood is curved and then glued to allow for a rigid form.
Sanded Plywood Sanded plywood is known for its excellent quality. This type of plywood is sanded to create a smooth surface and is normally used for structural purposes.
Apple Plywood Apple plywood is lighter than other types of plywood and easier to work with. Apple plywood is constructed of alder and birch and popular for making different types of furniture.

How Strong Is Plywood?

Exactly how strong is plywood then?

Wide angle shot of a cafe with walls, tables and chairs made in plywood.

(Image: White.Rainforest ™︎ ∙ 易雨白林.22)

Plywood, even though the sheets are thin, can be very strong and is made that way because of perpendicular layering and high-pressure gluing processes.

Plywood Strength Chart

The below plywood strength chart indicates the strength of plywood per square foot.

Thickness of Plywood Maximum Pressure (Strength)
Thickness – 3/8 inches 22 max pressure per square foot
Thickness – 1/2 inches 35 max pressure per square foot
Thickness – 1/4 inches 80 max pressure per square foot
Thickness – 1 inch 164 max pressure per square foot5

Grades of Plywood

Plywood is rated by the finish on the outside pieces of wood (face veneer and back veneer). The smoothest finishes are more expensive, but it doesn’t impact the strength.

Close up image of plywood with different colors and finishes.

(Image: Jakarta Parquet23)

There are four main grades of plywood:6

A-Grade This is the best quality plywood and the easiest to work with and is often used for furniture and other applications where the grain of the wood will be exposed.
B-Grade This type of plywood is still of great quality but may have a few small flaws. It is also not quite as smooth as A-grade plywood.
C-Grade C-grade plywood has visible knots that cover an area of up to 1.5”, however, there are no holes.
D-Grade D-grade plywood is typically the cheapest type of plywood on the market and usually has big flaws over an area of up to 2.5”.

The grade of plywood is also indicated using 2 letters, for instance, A-C. In this case, the A-grade refers to the top of the plywood, whereas the C-grade refers to the bottom of the plywood.

The strength of plywood by grade is as follows:

Type of Plywood Grade of Plywood Strength of Plywood
Marine Plywood A-Grade Marine plywood does not have knots, which means it has uniform strength. When marine plywood is manufactured, one veneer layer is placed inside the cross of the veneer before it, which increases strength.
Exterior Plywood B-Grade Exterior plywood is typically made from pine or fir and is mainly used for outdoor purposes. It is strong enough to be used as the inner layer of a large house, and when it is used outside, it is temperature and water-resistant.
Interior Plywood C-Grade or D-Grade Interior plywood is often used in humid environments including bathrooms. It is not adverse-weather-resistant and not as strong as exterior plywood. When choosing interior plywood, the more layers, the better, as this increases the strength.7

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

Therefore, when it comes to how much weight can plywood hold, it is essential to take into consideration the grade of plywood (both grades when applicable), the number of layers, and the manufacturing process.15 It is also important to note the hardness of the wood used to manufacture the plywood.

Related Reading: How Many Trees Does it Take to Build a House? (Every Home Type)

The hardness of wood is measured using a wood hardness scale, known as the Janka Hardness Scale.

Janka values are measured in pounds-force (USA) as is seen in the below table.

Type of Wood (Lumber) Janka Hardness Value (Pounds Force)
Ipe Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3680
Blackwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3670
Leadwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3570
Cumaru Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3540
Macassar Ebony Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3250
Gaboon Ebony Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3220
Massaranduba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3190
Angelim Pedra Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3160
Cocobolo Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2960
Bloodwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2900
Brazilian Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2820
Live Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2680
Flamewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2650
Marblewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2530
Purpleheart Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2520
Brazilian Tulipwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2500
Australian Beefwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2420
Banyan Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2340
Persimmon Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2300
Tatajuba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Bocote Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Honduran Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Jarrah Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)16 – 2200
Canarywood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Santos Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Ziricote Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200
Tigerwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2170
Eucalyptus Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2150
Bubinga Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1980
Figured Bubinga Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1980
Type of wood: African Padauk Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1970
Type of wood: Itauba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1900
Zebrawood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1830
Pecan Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820
Hickory Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820
Yellowheart Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820
Indian Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1660
Wenge Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1630
Melaleuca Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1530
Hard Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450
Birdseye Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450
Curly Hard Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450
Sapele Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2520
Australian Cypress Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1375
Bishopwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1370
White Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1360
Qt. Sawn White Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1360
Ash Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1320
Beech Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1300
Red Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1290
Qt. Sawn Red Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)17 – 1290
Birch Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1260
LongLeaf Pine Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1225
Andiroba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1220
Nicaraguan Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650
Garapa Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650
Laurel Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650
South American Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1200
Anigre Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1110
Makore Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1100
Peruvian Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1080
Mango Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1070
Burmese Teak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1050
Plantation Teak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1050
Bolivian Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1020
Black Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1010
Chinaberry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 990
Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950
Curly Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950
Soft Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950
Curly Soft Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 920
Imbuia Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950
Camphorwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)18 – 950
Monkeypod Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 900
Aromatic Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 900
Australian Lacewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 880
Cambara Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 860
Lacewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 840
African Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 830
Florida Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 800
Sycamore Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 770
Podocarpus Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 760
Norfolk Island Pine Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 650
Spanish Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 600
Alder Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 590
Poplar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 540
Cypress Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 510
Butternut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 490
Obeche Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 490
Parota Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 470
Basswood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 410
Atlantic White Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3508

Related Reading: 200 Types of Trees by Location, Species, Leaves, Colors (Pictures)

Different sizes of plywood can hold different weights, as indicated below:

How Much Weight Can 1 Inch Plywood Hold?

One inch of plywood can hold up to 164 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can 1/4 Plywood Hold?

1/4 inch plywood will support an estimated 5 pounds before it starts to bend.

How Much Weight Can 1/2 Plywood Hold?

1/2-inch plywood can hold up to 35 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can 3/4 Plywood Hold?

3/4 inch plywood can hold up to 50 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can a Plywood Floor Support?

In general, plywood floors can support up to 20psf when it comes to dead load and up to 40psf when it comes to living load.19

The below chart indicates the strengths of different softwood plywood sizes:9

Size:
1/8 inch		 Size:
1/4 inch		 Size:
3/8 inch		 Size:
1/2 inch		 Size:
5/8 inch		 Size:
3/4 inch		 Size:
7/8 inch		 Size:
1 inch
8psf 16psf 22psf 35psf 56psf 80psf 110psf 164psf

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold: Plywood Load Capacity Calculator

Calculating the answer to the question, of how much weight can plywood hold, is made easy with a plywood load capacity calculator.

Close up image of a carpenter measuring the length of a plywood on a table.

(Image: Ryno Marais24)

A simple version of the plywood load capacity calculator requires the following inputs:20

  • Length
  • Width
  • Thickness

The calculator will then use the following formula to determine the load capacity of a sheet of plywood:

LC = L x W x MP

LC refers to the load capacity in pounds, L refers to the length, W refers to the width, and MP refers to the maximum pressure related to the thickness.

Calculating the load capacity of plywood relies on multiplying the length and width and then multiplying that by the MP of the sheet of plywood. The maximum pressure can be estimated using the following table:

Thickness of Plywood Maximum Pressure (PSF)
.125 inch MP (PSF) – 8
.250 inch MP (PSF) – 16
.375 inch MP (PSF) – 22
.500 inch MP (PSF) – 35
.750 inch MP (PSF) – 79
1 inch MP (PSF) – 1609

Another type of plywood load capacity calculator requires the following inputs:21

  • Type of plywood
  • Length
  • Width
  • Thickness
  • The number of sheets.

The calculator then delivers results in the form of weight in pounds and density in pounds per square foot for each inch of thickness.10

Related Reading: How Many Board Feet in a Tree? Log Board Foot Calculator (Doyle Log Scale)

Since the wood is being used in this fashion, the carbon emissions can also be measured using an ecological footprint calculator.

Using any of these types of plywood load capacity calculations makes it easy to determine the hold load capacity of any sheet of plywood and establish how much weight can plywood hold.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

What Is the Strong Plywood Type?

The strongest plywood is marine plywood, of which the layers are glued together with excellent quality adhesives.

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

One inch of plywood can support up to 164 pounds per square meter.

How Much Weight Can Plywood Support?

The thickness of plywood plays a big role in its strength. A 12 inch by 36 inch sheet of plywood that is 1/4 inches thick will only support 5 pounds per square meter. Whereas a 12 inch by 36 inch sheet of plywood that is 3/4 inches thick will support 50 pounds per square meter.

What Is the Best Plywood for Floors?

Standard plywood is good for floors, but mostly subflooring. Marine plywood is a popular choice for flooring.

What Are Plywood Emissions?

Plywood emits very low levels of formaldehyde, that are usually not significant enough to cause any real harm.

How Much CO2 Does Plywood Create?

Every cubic meter of plywood sheets (manufactured) has an estimated carbon footprint of 500 kilograms of carbon dioxide. But it also stores around 700 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

Read More About How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold

References

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2ResearchGate. (2022). The orientation of plywood. ResearchGate. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-orientation-of-plywood_fig17_346096282>

3Mahajan, B. (2022). 15 Different Types Of Plywood | What Is Plywood And Their Types | 15 Best Types Of Plywood For Furniture. Civiconcepts. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-plywood>

4Home Efficiency Guide. (2022). How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?. Home Efficiency Guide. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://homeefficiencyguide.com/plywood-weight-holding-capacity/>

5David, G. (2022, October 19). How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold? Woodworking Clarity. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://woodworkingclarity.com/how-much-weight-can-plywood-hold/>

6Legros, S. (2020, October 15). What are the Grades of Plywood. Forest Plywood California. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://forestplywood.com/blog/about-plywood/grades-of-plywood/>

7Austim. (2022). Plywood Guide: Grades and Uses Plywood Guide: Grades and Uses. Austim. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://austim.com.au/blog/plywood-guide-grades-and-uses/>

8Advantage Lumber. (2022). Janka Scale – Janka Hardness – Janka Lumber Scale. Advantage Lumber. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.advantagelumber.com/janka.htm>

9Sokol, E. (2022). How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold? Plasticine House. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://plasticinehouse.com/how-much-weight-can-plywood-hold/>

10Plywood Load Capacity Calculator. (2022, September 27). Plywood Load Capacity Calculator. Calculator Academy. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://calculator.academy/plywood-load-capacity-calculator/>

11Plywood Weight Calculator for CDX, OSB & More. (2022). Plywood Weight Calculator for CDX, OSB & More. Builder’s Calculator. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.builderscalculator.com/plywood-weight-calculator/>

12US EPA. (2022). Plywood and Composite Wood Products Manufacture: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). EPA. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/plywood-and-composite-wood-products-manufacture-national-emission>

13Forbes, C. L., Jahn, L. G., & Araman, P. A. (2001, June). An investigation of hardwood plywood markets. part 2. fixture manufacturers. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/download/2394.pdf>

14Fisette, P. (2022, December 13). Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood. Building and Construction Technology. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/articles/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/>

15Senalik, C. A., & Ross, R. J. (2015). Predicting Plywood Properties with Wood-based Composite Models. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/51023>

16Green, D. W., Begel, M., & Nelson, W. (2022). Janka hardness using nonstandard specimens. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/23824>

17Adane, R. (2022). (PDF) Wood Hardness Chart Species (Alphabetical) Hardness Species (by Hardness) Hardness. Academia. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://www.academia.edu/35448457/Wood_Hardness_Chart_Species_Alphabetical_Hardness_Species_by_Hardness_Hardness>

18Jami, A. M. (2016). JANKA HARDNESS RATING OF MALAYSIAN TIMBERS. MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT, MALAYSIA. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from <https://info.frim.gov.my/infocenter/booksonline/ttb/TTB58.pdf>

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23Jakarta Parquet. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/xs93vG_csGU>

24Ryno Marais. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/p5JcD-_13ek>