Plywood / OSB Calculator — ft to sheets, cost
How to use this calculator
Choose your area shape — Rectangle, L-Shape, or enter a Custom Area directly. Select sheet size (standard 4×8 ft or 4×10, 4×12, 5×5), panel thickness, and material type. Adjust waste percentage for cuts and fitting.
Results include total sheets needed, coverage area, total panel weight, and optional cost estimate per sheet. The waste factor accounts for offcuts — use 5-10% for simple rectangles, 10-15% for complex layouts.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Shape | Area ft² | Material | Thick | Sheets | Weight | Cost |
|---|
How to Calculate Plywood and OSB Sheets
This calculator estimates the number of plywood, OSB, or MDF sheets needed to cover a given area. Enter dimensions for a rectangle, L-shape, or a custom square footage. The calculator divides the total area (plus waste allowance) by the sheet area to determine how many full sheets to purchase.
Sheet Sizes and Thickness
Standard sheets are 4×8 ft (32 ft²). Larger 4×10 and 4×12 ft panels are available for some applications. Common thicknesses include 3/8" (underlayment), 1/2" (walls), 5/8" (subfloor), and 3/4" (subfloor, shelving, cabinets). Tongue-and-groove subfloor panels are typically 3/4" or 1-1/8".
Material Weight
Panel weight varies by material and thickness. A standard 4×8 ft ¾" sheet weighs approximately: plywood 60-70 lbs, OSB 70-78 lbs, MDF 85-97 lbs. Weight per cubic foot: plywood ~34 lbs, OSB ~37 lbs, MDF ~48 lbs.
