MDF projects seem as easy as a jigsaw arrangement, but can be quite challenging. I used to have trouble getting the right size and weight of MDF sheets that would fit my project. But once I understood how to calculate the weight of an MDF sheet.
On average, MDF weighs 50 to 70 lbs (22.68–31.75 kg) per sheet and 1.5 to 2.1 lbs (0.68–0.95 kg) per square meter. The size and density of the sheet can affect where exactly it is within that range. In the case of larger sheets, MDF can weigh even more than 70 lbs (31.75 kg).
This resource will help you figure out how much MDF weighs regardless of type, density, and size. By the end, you will not only know what different sheets and types of MDF weigh, but you’ll also know how to calculate the weight of different fibreboards. Let’s get started with the weight of a single sheet.
Scroll down to see my custom calculator for you to use for free!
How Much Does a Sheet of MDF Weigh?
A regular MDF sheet weighs around 70 lbs (31.75 kg). Slightly lighter sheets weigh 50 lbs (22.68 kg), while the lightest MDF on the market weighs approximately 44 lbs (19.96 kg). The weight of the MDF depends on the density of the fiberboard and the size of the sheet.
The density determines the weight per square inch, and the size is the result of the number of square inches. Knowing MDF weight is important because how heavy the material is will dictate where it is used best. There is a reason why ultra-heavy boards are never used for roof sheathing.
You need to have a ballpark estimate of how much MDF weighs before using it for any project.
There are two ways to find out how heavy a board is.
- The first is to get an estimate and round it to the closest standard value. For instance, if an MDF sheet feels heavier than 60 lbs (27.22 kg), it likely weighs 70 lbs (31.75 kg). After all, that is the standard weight for large MDF sheets.
- The second method is to use an MDF weight calculation formula to pinpoint the exact weight of a sheet based on the board’s weight density.
The former is easier but lacks precision, while the latter is as precise as your calculation gets. However, it takes some getting used to. But once you understand the formula, you can’t help but apply it automatically.
Be sure to see my article on How strong is MDF? Its limits may surprise you!
How Much Does a 4×8 Sheet of MDF Weight?
A 4′ x 8′ sheet of MDF weighs 96 lbs (43.54 kg) on average if it is 3/4″ thick. At the same size, a 1/4′ thick MDF sheet weighs 35.2 lbs (15.97 kg). This can be estimated from 3/4″ MDF’s weight density of 3 lbs (1.36 kg) per square foot and 1/4″ MDF’s weight value of 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) per square foot.
Once you know how much a specific sheet weighs per square foot, you just need to get its total square footage and multiply it by the weight per square foot.
I found the best dust collector for MDF in 2022. Check it out!
You can see that this method works because Boulter’s MDF page has similar weight values listed for its Medium Density Fibreboard products. This brings up a third way to measure the weight of a brand-specific MDF sheet.
You can simply check out the weight listed by the manufacturer. It is often as accurate as weight value can get. The problem with relying on this way is that not all MDF makers list their sheets’ weight up front.
Knowing that 4×8 MDF can weigh anywhere between 35 lbs and 96 lbs (15.88–43.54 kg) should give you an estimate regarding its range of uses. Whereas thick MDF can be used for doors, frames, and furniture, the thin variety can be used for decorative projects, shelf-topping, and drawers.
One such decorative project is the MDF box. It is a practical project you can make with the MDF leftover from your main project. The following video shows the steps you must take to make an MDF box.
What Does 1-Inch Thick MDF Weigh?
On average, 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF weighs 128 lbs (58.06 kg), but can also weigh around 140 lbs (63.50 kg) in denser varieties. 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick ultralight MDF is rare if not non-existent. The weight range is for a 4′ x 8′ sheet, and the larger the sheet gets, the more it weighs.
You can calculate the weight of a specific brand’s 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF sheets by multiplying their 1/4-inch MDF weight by 4.
This gets you a practically accurate weight range for the MDF sheet. To make things simpler, I’ve taken weight readings of 1-inch-thick MDF sheets of various sizes and tabulated them below, so you don’t have to apply any formulas.
| MDF Sheet Size (1-inch-thick) | Weight (approximate/precise for practical purposes) | weights in (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ x 8′ | 128 lbs | 58.06 |
| 4′ x 4′ | 58 lbs | 26.31 |
| 2′ x 8′ | 58 lbs | 26.31 |
| 4′ x 10′ | 145 lbs | 65.77 |
| 4′ x 12 | 184 lbs | 83.46 |
| 5′ x 8′ | 145 lbs | 65.77 |
| 5′ x 10′ | 182 lbs | 82.55 |
| 5′ x 12′ | 217 lbs | 98.43 |
Please note that the term ‘thick MDF’ applies to sheets that are 3/4-inch or higher in thickness. So, when you order thick MDF, make sure you double-check the sheets’ thickness before you calculate or assume their weight.
1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF uses include Bed Frames, sheds, and wall-sheathing. They are durable and cost-effective compared to other options. Thick MDF doesn’t swell due to humidity, making it perfect for some exterior applications. Remember to check the MDF grade before buying it for a specific application.
How Much Does a Sheet of 25MM MDF Weigh?
A 4×8 sheet of 25mm (0.98 in) thick MDF weighs 115 lbs (52.16 kg) on average. It can weigh over 125 lbs (56.70 kg) for denser MDF varieties, and its weight depends on the size of the sheet. 25mm (0.98 in) is just shy of an inch thick. The uses for a 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF sheet and a 25mm (0.98 in) thick MDF sheet are the same.
These boards are, for the most part, interchangeable. However, you should opt for one or the other for the entirety of your project. Suppose you’re using thick MDF for walls. You can go with sheets that are 25mm (0.98 in) thick, or you can go with 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF sheets. But you cannot use 25mm (0.98 in) thick MDF for a few panels and fill up the rest of the frame with 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF.
This is because you’re unlikely to get sheets of varying thicknesses with the exact same density. The 25mm (0.98 in) thick MDF sheet might be slightly thinner than the 1-inch (25.4 mm) thick MDF, but it will not be too close in weight.
To avoid assuming weight sameness, refer to the table below.
| MDF Sheet Size (25mm-thick) | Weight (approximate/precise for practical purposes) | weights in (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ x 8′ | 114 lbs | 51.71 |
| 4′ x 4′ | 57 lbs | 25.85 |
| 2′ x 8′ | 57 lbs | 25.85 |
| 4′ x 10′ | 143 lbs | 64.86 |
| 4′ x 12′ | 171 lbs | 77.56 |
| 5′ x 8′ | 143 lbs | 64.86 |
| 5′ x 10′ | 178 lbs | 80.74 |
| 5′ x 12′ | 214 lbs | 97.07 |
MDF, which is 25mm (0.98 in) thick, is quite sturdy and can be used for exterior applications. You might need to treat its surface to ensure it lasts in your region’s climate. But as the video below shows, 25mm MDF doesn’t really need as much support to stand up to stress and impact.
How Much Does a Sheet of Ultralight MDF Weight?
Ultralight MDF weighs 44 lbs (19.96 kg) on average, nearly half of its equivalent (in thickness) MDF sheets. Since Ultralight MDF thickness can vary based on the sheets you order, the weight of a specific sheet can be higher or lower than 44 lbs (19.96 kg).
Ultralight MDF is offered by different household craft brands. It’s more of a light-density fibreboard’ that is lumped under the medium-density umbrella just to make sense to consumers. It doesn’t always have the same properties as the average MDF. One of the traits in which it varies is its weight per square foot.
Most resources that present the weight of different MDF sizes often assume a standard fiber density. Because ultralight MDF uses different adhesive and fiber types and quantities, these do not apply to ultralight MDF.
The best way to calculate an ultralight MDF sheet’s weight is to multiply its square footage by the weight of ultralight MDF per square foot. Ultralight MDF can weigh between 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) per square foot and 2 lbs (0.9 kg) per square foot. Here’s how that translates to different sizes of MDF sheets.
| Ultralight MDF sheet size | Low-end sheet weight | High-end sheet weight |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ x 8′ | 42 lbs (19.05 kg) | 64 lbs (29.03 kg) |
| 4′ x 4′ | 24 lbs (10.89 kg) | 32 lbs (14.51 kg) |
| 2′ x 8′ | 24 lbs (10.89 kg) | 32 lbs (14.51 kg) |
| 4′ x 10′ | 60 lbs (27.22 kg) | 80 lbs (36.29 kg) |
| 4′ x 12′ | 72 lbs (32.66 kg) | 96 lbs (43.54 kg) |
| 5′ x 8′ | 60 lbs (27.22 kg) | 80 lbs (36.29 kg) |
| 5′ x 10′ | 75 lbs (34.02 kg) | 100 lbs (45.36 kg) |
If you visit a hardware store and find ultralight MDF sheets you like, you can pick the same brand’s smallest plank of ultralight MDF and use it to get the weight per square foot.
Here are the steps for that:
- Get the sheet weighed on a scale.
- Get the area of the sheet (in square feet) by multiplying the length of the MDF board by its breadth.
- Divide the weight of the entire board by the area you got in step 2.
- That’s the weight of that specific MDF sheet per square foot.
The above steps showcase the importance of knowing the weight of a square foot of an MDF sheet. If you don’t want to go through the steps above, you can inquire about the per-sqft weight of different types of boards.
How Much Does MDF Weigh per Square Foot?
MDF weighs around 1.7 lbs (0.77 kg) per square foot on the low end and over 2.1 lbs (0.95 kg) per square foot on the higher-density end of the spectrum. This reading is fairly accurate for transport and packaging purposes.
But if you want to use an MDF sheet for a specific project, you can get the precise weight for the sheets you use. MDF square footage is reliable only to the extent that it gets the MDF thickness and density right. Make sure you don’t make errors when scaling the weight of 1 square foot of MDF to the sheet size you intend to order.
| MDF thickness | Weight per square foot | weights in (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/10-inches | 0.4 lbs | 0.18 |
| 2/10-inches | 0.7 lbs | 0.31 |
| 3/10-inches | 1 lb | 0.45 |
| 1/2-inches | 1.8 lbs | 0.81 |
| 3/5-inches | 2.2 lbs | 0.99 |
| 4/5-inches | 2.9 lbs | 1.32 |
| 1-inch | 3.6 lbs | 1.63 |
How Much Does MDF Weigh per Square Meter?
MDF weighs 15 lbs (6.80 kg) per square meter on the ultra-low end of the weight spectrum and around 23.5 lbs (10.66 kg) per square meter in general. This weight depends on how thick the MDF is and its density. To be sure of the precise MDF sheet weight, you should get its weight per square foot first.
Weight per square meter is important when you use MDF for flooring and large wall projects. But before you order large-scale MDF sheets, remember that sawing these is impossible, while joining two via a frame is easier. So, when you purchase MDF sheets, you should err on the side of smaller sheets.
I have compiled 9 essential tips for screwing into MDF. Be sure to check them out!
How Do You Calculate MDF Weight?
There are two ways to get MDF weight. First, enter the thickness, length, and breadth of an MDF sheet so you can arrive at the approximate weight of the MDF. This method requires an MDF weight calculator but is much easier than the second calculation method.
To get the weight of an MDF sheet, you must figure out its weight per square foot and then multiply it by its total area in square feet. This gets you a more precise reading, but you need to know the exact weight per square foot of a specific MDF type, depth, and density.
Ultimately, the latter is better for accuracy if you know the weight per square foot. If you don’t, then your result will be approximate anyway, in which case you should use my MDF weight calculator.
How Much Does 1/2-Inch MDF Weigh?
½ inch MDF weighs 1.8 lbs (0.81 kg) per square foot, which means the average 4×8 MDF sheet that is half an inch in depth is likely to weigh around 57.6 lbs (26.13 kg). Larger or denser planks usually weigh just under 70 lbs (31.75 kg).
A 1/2-inch MDF of any type is going to be lighter than the ‘average’ MDF of that type or brand. That’s because a half-inch depth is the lower of the two commonly available thickness choices. 3/4-inch MDF is the common heavy board on an average rack.
Final Thoughts
MDF can weigh between 44 lbs (19.96 kg) and 70 lbs (31.75 kg). That’s a large range because MDF comes in different thicknesses and density points. Consequently, you should double-check the weight of MDF when ordering it. This can be done with an MDF weight calculator or its per-sqft weight.
-
What Is Cedar Wood Used For? (Why I Stopped Using It On Some Projects)
Cedar is one of my favorite wood types because I am tasked with perpetually protecting some of my passion projects. It is one of the most resilient woods out there, and I often find myself wishing that all woods were like Cedar because I cannot really use it for all projects. Cedar wood is used…
-
12 Beginner Wood Carving Projects Anyone Can Carve
Beginner Wood Carving As a woodworker, I believe woodcarving is one of the simplest forms of woodwork anyone could get involved in. If you start out with the most basic projects first, you can quickly develop the skills and the enjoyment to continue the hobby. I find I get a great sense of achievement from…
-
9 Essential Tips For Screwing Into MDF
MDF seems to be the one thing that scares most people whenever they need to screw into its edge. I have been a cabinetmaker for the last 20 years and screwing MDF together is something we did every day.All of the apprentices would be always asking how to screw into the edges of MDF without…
-
Why Your Jigsaw Does Not Cut Straight (8 Reasons Why)
I have been woodworking since the early 1990s, and I have used a jigsaw predominantly over that time. I used to cut out holes in bench tops for kitchen sinks and I know all too well why I jigsaw doesn’t cut straight. I decided to write down this information to help you out. Your jigsaw…
-
Cedar Vs Douglas Fir (One Is Far Better, Read Why)
I was out lumber shopping, and things came down to a single choice. I could either get a stack of Fir in my truck or the same volume of Cedar. And the choice was pretty obvious to me, but a few of my friends were surprised. It actually amazes me that people still don’t see…
