Baltic birch plywood cut list optimizer
Baltic birch is all-birch plywood with thin, void-free plies, made in metric thicknesses and usually 5×5 foot (1525 × 1525 mm) sheets. Lay out drawer boxes, jigs and cabinets with the grain under control.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock sheets
| Name | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 sheets, 48.2% waste, 9 of 9 parts placed.
You need: 2 × 18 mm Baltic birch (60″ × 60″)
Cut sequence (14 cuts)
- Rip 14 7/8″ from the 60″ × 60″ piece
- Crosscut 29 3/4″ from the 60″ × 14 7/8″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30 1/8″ × 14 7/8″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 30 1/8″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Crosscut 29″ from the 60″ × 45″ piece
- Rip 30″ from the 29″ × 45″ piece
- Rip 11″ from the 29″ × 14 7/8″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 29″ × 11″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30 7/8″ × 45″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 30 7/8″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Rip 12″ from the 30 7/8″ × 33 5/8″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 30 7/8″ × 12″ piece
- Rip 14 7/8″ from the 30 7/8″ × 21 1/2″ piece
- Crosscut 29 3/4″ from the 30 7/8″ × 14 7/8″ piece
Every cut goes straight through the piece. Distances are measured from the top or left edge of the piece as drawn; the kerf is on the waste side of each line.
Reusable offcuts (2)
- 30 7/8″ × 6 1/2″
- 29″ × 3 3/4″
Cut sequence (3 cuts)
- Rip 11″ from the 60″ × 60″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 60″ × 11″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 31 3/8″ × 11″ piece
Every cut goes straight through the piece. Distances are measured from the top or left edge of the piece as drawn; the kerf is on the waste side of each line.
Reusable offcuts (1)
- 60″ × 48 7/8″
Baltic birch thickness: nominal vs actual
| Sold as | Typical actual | Plies |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 in | 3 mm (0.118) | 3 plies |
| 1/4 in | 6 mm (0.236) | 5 plies |
| 3/8 in | 9 mm (0.354) | 7 plies |
| 1/2 in | 12 mm (0.472) | 9 plies |
| 5/8 in | 15 mm (0.591) | 11 plies |
| 3/4 in | 18 mm (0.709) | 13 plies |
Thicknesses vary by mill and batch. Measure your own sheets with calipers before cutting dados, rabbets or setting joinery.
Baltic birch is named in inches in the US but made in millimeters, so "1/2 inch" is really 12 mm (0.472 in) and "3/4 inch" is 18 mm (0.709 in). Set dado and rabbet cutters to the measured thickness, and enter it in drawer box calculations.
The square 5×5 sheet makes grain direction easy to confuse. Mark an arrow on the sheet before cutting and tick Grain on visible parts. For drawer boxes, most woodworkers run the grain along the length of the drawer sides and fronts.
Because there are no voids in the core, Baltic birch edges can be left exposed, finished or cut with finger joints and dovetails. It costs more than construction plywood, so efficient layout pays off quickly.
Sheet weight
| Typical density | 42–45 lb/ft³ (673–721 kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| 18 mm 5×5 sheet | 62–66 lb (28–30 kg) |
| Grain | Yes — lock visible parts |
Cutting baltic birch
60–80 tooth ATB blade; birch is hard and its thin face veneer tears out, so use a sharp blade and support the cut. Measure your blade's kerf and enter it in the optimizer — see saw kerf explained — and follow the cut sequence from how to break down a sheet of plywood.
FAQ
How much does a sheet of baltic birch weigh?
A 18 mm 5×5 sheet weighs roughly 62–66 lb (28–30 kg), based on a typical density of 42–45 lb/ft³. Check the supplier's data for your exact product.
Does baltic birch have a grain direction?
Yes. The face veneer has a grain that usually runs along the sheet length. Tick Grain on parts that must follow it.
What blade should I use to cut baltic birch?
60–80 tooth ATB blade; birch is hard and its thin face veneer tears out, so use a sharp blade and support the cut.