How Much Does a Sheet of Plywood Cost? (Quick Answer!)

Wondering how much a sheet of plywood costs?

The good news is that it’s cheaper than solid wood – but plywood prices can vary depending on several factors.

In this guide, I’ll explore the cost of plywood, how much different types of plywood cost, and the various factors that influence the price. Let’s dig in!

How Much Does Plywood Cost?

Plywood varies in price depending on what grade it is, how big of a sheet you’re buying, and an assortment of other factors. On average, plywood costs anywhere from $15 to $75 per sheet, but it could be more if you need a special type of wood.

How Much Does a 4×8 Sheet of Plywood Cost?

4×8 sheets of plywood are one of the most common sizes of plywood sheets that people buy. It’s easy to find plywood in 4×8 sheets in home improvement stores.

The type of plywood you choose will make a big difference in how much it costs, and sometimes, you can use a less expensive alternative like OSB or MDF.

Here are the price ranges for different types of 4×8 sheets of plywood and its alternatives:

• Plywood – sheathing for exterior use – $25 to $90
• Plytanium- smooth, sanded panels for cabinets and shelving- $24 to $53
• Pressure Treated – for extreme outdoor uses – $53+
• OSB (Oriented Strand Board) – for sheathing and subfloors- $20 to $52
• MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) – best for indoor projects that don’t expand or contract – $45
• Particle board – best for projects that won’t be exposed to water – $34+

How Much Does a 4×4 Sheet of Plywood Cost?

If you don’t need a whole 4×8 sheet, you can purchase a 4×4 sheet of plywood for less. They’re also easier to move and haul.

Prices for 4×4 sheets of plywood range from $28 to $35 for pine sanded plywood. Most home improvement stores don’t have as big of a selection of 4×4 sheets as they do of 4×8 sheets.

Plywood Cost by Thickness

Size is the primary determiner of price, but thickness is the next big factor that affects the cost of plywood sheets. There are several standard thicknesses for plywood, ranging in thickness from 1/8 inch to 1 1/4 inch. The most popular thicknesses of plywood sheets are from 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch.

Project plans often call for specific types of plywood using the nominal dimension. Since plywood is often listed for sale according to its actual thickness, it can be a little confusing when you’re trying to find the right thickness for your project. The nominal dimension is usually 1/32 inch more than the actual thickness.

Here are the costs of plywood by thickness, with nominal and actual dimensions:

• 1/8 inch – 3/32 inch – $14 to $16
• 3/16 inch – 5/32 inch – $27
• 1/4 inch – 7/32 inch – $36 to $60
• 3/8 inch – 11/32 inch – $21 to $130
• 7/16 inch – 13/32 inch – $20 to $22 for OSB only
• 1/2 inch – 15/32 inch – $45 to $90
• 5/8 inch – 19/32 inch – $32 to $43
• 3/4 inch – 23/32 inch – $23 to $87

Choosing the right plywood for your project is important. Some projects only require a thin veneer sheet (sometimes called a skin), while others need the strength of a thicker sheet of plywood.

Factors That Influence The Cost of Plywood Sheets

Plywood prices vary depending on several factors, including the size, thickness, wood species, grade of plywood, market factors, and the quantity you purchase.

Size

Plywood comes in different sizes, with 4×8 and 5×5 sheets being the most common. You can also get utility plywood up to 10 feet long.

Here are some common sizes of plywood:

• 2′ x 2′
• 2′ x 4′
• 4′ x 4′
• 5′ x 5′
• 4′ x 8′

When comparing prices for plywood, always take the size of the sheet into account.

Thickness

Generally, the thicker the plywood, the higher the price. However, even a thin sheet of plywood can cost more than a thick one, depending on factors like size, wood species, and grade.

If you’re looking to save money, consider using thin sheets or different plywood grades.

Wood Species

A lot of plywood is made from pine, which is an inexpensive softwood. When you need a sheet of plywood with a veneer of hardwood like maple, birch, or cherry, the price goes up considerably, and some types of plywood even have to be special ordered.

Treated plywood is also more expensive than untreated plywood. Pressure-treated plywood for exterior use is typically made out of pine, and it costs about $50 per sheet.

Grades

Plywood is graded according to the quality of the finished veneer. Each sheet has two grades, one for the face and one for the back.

Standard grading for plywood is A, B, C, and D. Here’s what that means:

• A grade is a top-quality plywood. It is sanded smooth, free of blemishes, and paints and stains easily. It’s what you want for finished projects like cabinets when the face will be highly visible.
• B grade is less smooth and may have a few blemishes, which you can repair.
• C grade has visible flaws and knots up to 1.5 inches in diameter
• D grade is the least expensive because it can have many flaws, with knots up to 2.5 inches in diameter.

Market Factors

Several market factors affect the cost of plywood, including supply and demand, regional market factors, and seasonal fluctuations in price.

Supply and demand affect the cost of plywood pretty quickly. It’s often much cheaper to buy lumber and building materials in the off-season. Regional markets also play a role in the cost of plywood since lumber prices vary from place to place.

Quantity Ordered

If you’re working on a large project, like constructing a building, purchasing plywood in bulk quantities can save you at least 10%. You may be able to negotiate a lower price by shopping around and getting quotes.

Here’s a great video showing the things you should avoid when buying plywood.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right plywood for your project can be difficult because of how many varieties you can find. However, plywood is one of the cheapest decking materials you can use and is extremely versatile.

Depending on the type of plywood, the size and thickness, you can expect to spend anywhere from $15 to over $75 per sheet.