Board and sheet sizes for plywood, MDF and melamine
Last updated 23 October 2026
Standard full-sheet sizes for the boards cabinet makers and DIYers use most, by region. These are common sizes, not guarantees: products vary by brand and mill, so confirm the size and thickness with your supplier before you plan a job.
South Africa
| Size | Imperial | Common for |
|---|---|---|
| 2750 × 1830 mm | ≈ 9 × 6 ft | Melamine-faced chipboard and MDF, raw chipboard, MDF |
| 2440 × 1220 mm | 8 × 4 ft | Plywood, MDF, hardboard, shutterply |
| 1830 × 915 mm | 6 × 3 ft | Half sheets of some boards and hardboard |
Melamine board is most often 16 mm thick, with 18 mm and 25 mm also common. Plywood and MDF come in 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 22 and 25 mm and more. Backs and drawer bottoms are usually 3 mm hardboard or 6 mm board.
Europe and the UK
| Size | Imperial | Common for |
|---|---|---|
| 2800 × 2070 mm | ≈ 9 ft 2 × 6 ft 9 | Chipboard and melamine (MFC) |
| 2440 × 1220 mm | 8 × 4 ft | Plywood, MDF, OSB |
| 2500 × 1250 mm | ≈ 8 ft 2 × 4 ft 1 | Birch plywood, MDF |
| 3050 × 1525 mm | 10 × 5 ft | Birch plywood, large-format MDF |
| 1525 × 1525 mm | 5 × 5 ft | Baltic birch plywood |
North America
| Size | Imperial | Common for |
|---|---|---|
| 2440 × 1220 mm | 4 × 8 ft (48 × 96 in) | Plywood, MDF, particleboard, OSB |
| 3050 × 1220 mm | 4 × 10 ft | Plywood, MDF |
| 1525 × 1525 mm | 5 × 5 ft | Baltic birch plywood |
| 1220 × 1220 mm | 4 × 4 ft | Project panels and half sheets |
Watch the thickness: North American plywood is sold by nominal size and is usually a little thinner. A sheet sold as 3/4" is often 23/32" (18.3 mm), and 1/2" is often 15/32" (11.9 mm).
Grain direction and sheet size
On veneered and woodgrain boards, the grain runs along the long side of the sheet on most boards, but not all: some boards have the grain across the width. Check before you cut parts where the grain shows. In Kerf, set each sheet’s grain direction (along the length, across, or none for plain boards) and untick Rotate on grain-matched parts; they then follow the board’s grain.
Usable size after trimming
Factory edges are often chipped or not quite square, so most people trim 5 to 10 mm off each edge before cutting parts. A 2750 × 1830 board trimmed 10 mm all round gives 2730 × 1810 mm to work with, less a blade width for every cut (see saw kerf).
Common questions
What size is a sheet of melamine board in South Africa?
The usual full sheet of melamine-faced chipboard or MDF in South Africa is 2750 × 1830 mm, most often 16 mm thick. Some boards also come in 2440 × 1220 mm. Check with your supplier, as sizes vary by brand and product.
What size is a sheet of plywood?
Most plywood is 2440 × 1220 mm (8 × 4 feet). Birch plywood is often 2500 × 1250 mm or 1525 × 1525 mm (5 × 5 feet), and some is 3050 × 1525 mm.
Is 3/4 inch plywood really 3/4 inch thick?
Usually not. In North America, plywood sold as 3/4 inch is typically about 23/32 inch (18.3 mm). Measure the sheet before you cut grooves or dadoes to fit it.
Kerf includes presets for South African and North American sheet sizes in mm and inches, or enter your own. See also how to make a cut list.