Guides / Logistics
Plywood Weight per Sheet, and Why It Decides Your Container
September 21, 2026
Plywood is priced per sheet or per cubic metre and shipped against a weight limit. The moment those two meet, weight wins, and the buyer who did not calculate it pays for air.
The calculation
Volume of one sheet in cubic metres, times density in kilograms per cubic metre.
For a 1220 x 2440 mm sheet, the volume is 2.9768 m2 times the thickness in metres:
| Thickness | Volume per sheet | At 550 kg/m3 | At 600 kg/m3 | At 680 kg/m3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 mm | 0.0268 m3 | 14.7 kg | 16.1 kg | 18.2 kg |
| 12 mm | 0.0357 m3 | 19.6 kg | 21.4 kg | 24.3 kg |
| 15 mm | 0.0447 m3 | 24.6 kg | 26.8 kg | 30.4 kg |
| 18 mm | 0.0536 m3 | 29.5 kg | 32.2 kg | 36.4 kg |
| 21 mm | 0.0625 m3 | 34.4 kg | 37.5 kg | 42.5 kg |
| 25 mm | 0.0744 m3 | 40.9 kg | 44.6 kg | 50.6 kg |
For 1250 x 2500 mm sheets, multiply these figures by about 1.05.
Weight per square metre
Weight per m2 is thickness in metres times density. An 18 mm panel at 600 kg/m3 weighs 0.018 x 600 = 10.8 kg/m2.
| Thickness | At 550 kg/m3 | At 600 kg/m3 | At 680 kg/m3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 mm | 5.0 kg/m2 | 5.4 kg/m2 | 6.1 kg/m2 |
| 12 mm | 6.6 kg/m2 | 7.2 kg/m2 | 8.2 kg/m2 |
| 15 mm | 8.3 kg/m2 | 9.0 kg/m2 | 10.2 kg/m2 |
| 18 mm | 9.9 kg/m2 | 10.8 kg/m2 | 12.2 kg/m2 |
| 21 mm | 11.6 kg/m2 | 12.6 kg/m2 | 14.3 kg/m2 |
| 25 mm | 13.8 kg/m2 | 15.0 kg/m2 | 17.0 kg/m2 |
These are typical ranges, not promises. Ask the mill for the measured density of your product and recalculate.
Where the density comes from
Three things move it: core species, ply count and glue.
- A denser core, usually eucalyptus, sits at the top of the range
- More plies means more glue lines, and glue is heavier than wood
- A phenolic bonded film faced panel carries the film and the resin as well
The species side of this is in acacia or eucalyptus core.
Why it decides the container
A dry container has two limits: the space inside and the payload it may legally carry. Plywood usually hits the second one first in a 40ft box.
- A 20ft container typically takes about 25 to 28 m3 of plywood before it runs out of room
- A 40ft or 40HC has more space than a plywood load can legally weigh, so the payload limit decides. At a common payload it works out around 40 to 45 m3
That is why a denser panel does not just cost more per sheet. It costs more per sheet delivered, because fewer of them fit inside the same freight bill. The full loading picture is in how many plywood sheets fit in a container.
Three places weight catches buyers
- Road limits at the far end. A container that is legal on the water can be over the axle limit on the truck. Ask your forwarder before you load to the maximum
- Mixed loads. Putting 25 mm panels and 9 mm panels in one box changes the plan completely. Give the mill the mix before it quotes freight
- Handling. A 25 mm eucalyptus sheet at over 50 kg is a two person lift. If your warehouse unloads by hand, the panel you chose just became a labour problem
What to ask the mill
- Measured density of this product, in kilograms per cubic metre
- Weight per sheet and per pallet, for the exact thickness
- Net and gross weight for the container plan, including pallets and packing
A mill that gives you those three numbers without hesitating has loaded a lot of containers. That is a useful thing to know before you order.
For how weight fits into price, loading and landed cost, see the guide to import plywood from Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the weight of one plywood sheet?
Multiply length by width by thickness to get the volume in cubic metres, then multiply by the panel density in kilograms per cubic metre. A 1220 x 2440 x 18 mm sheet is 0.0536 m3, so at 600 kg/m3 it weighs about 32 kg.
What density should I assume for Vietnam plywood?
Most acacia and eucalyptus panels land somewhere between 550 and 680 kg/m3 depending on species, ply count and glue. Ask the mill for the density of the exact product rather than using a book figure, because the spread is wide enough to change a container plan.
Why does weight matter if I am paying per sheet?
Because the container has a payload limit. Past a certain density you stop filling the box with panels and start filling it with weight, and the freight cost per sheet rises even though the price per sheet did not move.
How much does 18mm plywood weigh per m2?
Between about 9.9 and 12.2 kg/m2 for Vietnam acacia and eucalyptus panels, depending on density. At a typical 600 kg/m3 an 18 mm panel weighs 10.8 kg/m2, or about 32 kg for a 1220 x 2440 mm sheet.
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