4×4 half sheet cut list optimizer
A 4×4 half sheet measures 48 × 48 inches (16 square feet). Home centers sell plywood, MDF and hardboard half sheets for small projects, and they are much easier to carry and cut alone than a full 4×8.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock sheets
| Name | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 sheets, 39.6% waste, 10 of 10 parts placed.
You need: 2 × 4x4 sheet (48″ × 48″)
Cut sequence (13 cuts)
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 48″ × 48″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 48″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 25 3/8″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 48″ × 36 5/8″ piece
- Rip 30″ from the 22 1/2″ × 36 5/8″ piece
- Rip 3″ from the 22 1/2″ × 6 1/2″ piece
- Rip 3″ from the 22 1/2″ × 3 3/8″ piece
- Rip 12″ from the 25 3/8″ × 36 5/8″ piece
- Crosscut 24″ from the 25 3/8″ × 12″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 25 3/8″ × 24 1/2″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 25 3/8″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 25 3/8″ × 13 1/8″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 22 1/2″ × 13 1/8″ 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.
Cut sequence (4 cuts)
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 48″ × 48″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 48″ × 11 1/4″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 48″ × 36 5/8″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 48″ × 11 1/4″ 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 (3)
- 48″ × 25 1/4″
- 17 7/8″ × 11 1/4″
- 17 7/8″ × 11 1/4″
4×4 half sheet at a glance
| Size | 48 × 48 in |
|---|---|
| Also written | 1219 × 1219 mm |
| Area | 16 sq ft (1.49 m²) |
| Kerf used below | 1/8″ |
Half sheets are usually cut from a full 4×8 sheet, so the face grain runs along one 48-inch edge — but since the sheet is square, it is easy to lose track of which. Check the grain before marking out, and tick Grain on visible parts in the optimizer.
Price per square foot is often higher than a full sheet. If your project needs more than about 60% of a 4×8, add a 4×8 stock row with prices for both sizes: the optimizer chooses the cheaper combination automatically.
Small projects such as nightstands, step stools, toy boxes and shop cabinets often fit on one or two half sheets. The parts-per-sheet table below shows the yield for common part sizes with kerf included.
How many strips fit on a 4x4 sheet?
Full-length rips across the 48″ width, with a 1/8″ kerf.
| Strip width | Rips | Left over |
|---|---|---|
| 1 1/2″ | 29 | 1″ |
| 2″ | 22 | 1 3/8″ |
| 3″ | 15 | 1 1/4″ |
| 3 1/2″ | 13 | 1″ |
| 4″ | 11 | 2 3/4″ |
| 5 1/2″ | 8 | 3 1/8″ |
| 6″ | 7 | 5 1/4″ |
| 7 1/4″ | 6 | 3 7/8″ |
| 8″ | 5 | 7 1/2″ |
| 9 1/4″ | 5 | 1 1/4″ |
| 10″ | 4 | 7 5/8″ |
| 11 1/4″ | 4 | 2 5/8″ |
| 12″ | 3 | 11 3/4″ |
| 14″ | 3 | 5 3/4″ |
| 15 3/4″ | 3 | 1/2″ |
| 16″ | 2 | 15 7/8″ |
| 18″ | 2 | 11 7/8″ |
| 23 3/4″ | 2 | 3/8″ |
| 24″ | 1 | 24″ |
How many parts fit on one sheet?
Calculated with the optimizer for a single sheet, 1/8″ kerf and straight through-cuts. "Grain locked" keeps the part length along the sheet length; "rotation allowed" applies to MDF, melamine and hidden parts.
| Part | Size | Grain locked | Rotation allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet side | 34 1/2″ × 23 1/4″ | 2 | 2 |
| Wall cabinet side | 30″ × 11 1/4″ | 4 | 5 |
| Bookcase shelf | 34 1/2″ × 11 1/4″ | 4 | 5 |
| Cabinet door | 30″ × 15″ | 3 | 4 |
| Drawer side | 22″ × 6″ | 14 | 15 |
| 24 × 24 panel | 24″ × 24″ | 1 | 1 |
| 12 × 12 square | 12″ × 12″ | 9 | 9 |
Typical uses
- Small furniture and storage boxes
- Shop cabinets and drawers
- Craft and school projects
- Repairs and patch panels
Not sure how many sheets to buy? Get a quick estimate with the plywood calculator, then confirm it above. Read plywood sizes and thicknesses for the real dimensions of each panel.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a 4x4 sheet?
48 × 48 inches (1219 × 1219 mm), an area of 16 sq ft (1.49 m²).
How many 12″ strips can I rip from a 4x4 sheet?
3 full-length strips with a 1/8″ kerf. The last strip needs no cut, and the leftover is 11 3/4″.
How many base cabinet side fit on one 4x4 sheet?
2 with the grain locked, or 2 if the parts may rotate (34 1/2″ × 23 1/4″ parts, 1/8″ kerf, straight through-cuts).
Which way does the grain run on a 4x4 sheet?
On a square sheet the face grain runs along one edge only — check the sheet and mark an arrow before cutting.