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Cabinet Material Calculator

Calculate sheet goods, face frames, hardware, and generate cut lists for custom cabinets

⚡ Quick Answer

2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood plus 1 back panel sheet build one standard 36 inch base cabinet (34.5 inches tall, 24 inches deep) with a face frame, using about 2 board feet of hardwood and roughly $168 in materials at $65 per sheet. Use the calculator below for your exact numbers.

Cabinet Specifications

Standard: 9", 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 30", 33", 36"
Base: 34.5", Wall: 30-42", Tall: 84-96"
Base: 24", Wall: 12", Tall: 24"

Material Selection

4' x 8' sheet price
Vertical frame members
Horizontal frame members
Hardwood price per board foot

Hardware Options

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical kitchen with 10-15 cabinets requires 8-12 sheets of 3/4" plywood for carcasses and 2-4 sheets of 1/4" plywood for backs. The exact amount depends on cabinet sizes and your cutting efficiency. Our calculator factors in a standard 4'x8' sheet and accounts for the saw kerf to give you accurate estimates. Always buy 10-15% extra for mistakes and grain matching.

Use 3/4" (18mm) plywood for cabinet sides, tops, bottoms, and fixed shelves. This thickness provides adequate strength and good screw-holding ability. Use 1/4" (6mm) plywood for back panels - it's sufficient for keeping the cabinet square and protecting contents. For drawer bottoms, 1/4" works for small drawers, while 1/2" is better for heavy-duty applications like pot drawers.

Use 2 hinges for doors up to 40" tall, 3 hinges for doors 40-60" tall, and 4 hinges for doors over 60" tall. This ensures proper support and prevents sagging. European-style concealed hinges (cup hinges) are standard for modern frameless cabinets, while overlay or inset hinges work better with face-frame construction. Always use soft-close hinges for a premium feel.

Standard face frames use 1.5" wide stiles (vertical members) and 2" wide rails (horizontal members), all made from 3/4" thick hardwood. For a typical 36" base cabinet, you need approximately 10-12 linear feet of face frame material. Popular choices include poplar (economical, paintable), oak (traditional), maple (modern), or cherry (premium). Buy S4S (surfaced 4 sides) lumber for easier construction.