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
The thickness of plywood / Weight capacity11
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
The thickness of plywood / Weight capacity11https://8e0d755a6510d42433294251fdd235ff.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
| 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
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
The thickness of plywood / Weight capacity11https://8e0d755a6510d42433294251fdd235ff.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
| 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
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. |
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.
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 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 |
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