Acrylic Sheet Specifications — Sizes, Thicknesses, Colors & Optical Clarity
Acrylic sheet is available in a broader range of stock sizes, thicknesses, and colors than any other transparent plastic. Knowing standard versus non-standard dimensions — and understanding how color codes and optical data are reported — prevents costly ordering errors. This page covers sheet, rod, and tube dimensions for both cast and extruded grades.
At a glance:
- Standard sheet sizes: 4′×8′, 4′×10′, 5′×8′; cast available up to 8′×10′
- Thicknesses: 0.060″ through 4.000″ in standard increments
- Cast thickness tolerance ±10%; extruded ±5%
- Color code systems vary by manufacturer — cross-reference required for multi-source projects
- Rod: 1/4″ through 6″ diameter; tube: 1/2″ OD through 12″ OD
- Clear grades: >92% light transmission; tinted and diffuse grades vary
Sheet Dimensions
Standard Sheet Sizes
Acrylic sheet is manufactured and stocked in a range of rectangular sizes. Actual stocked sizes depend on grade and distributor inventory; the most universally available are 4′×8′ and 4′×10′.
| Sheet Size | Typical Grade Availability | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ × 8′ (48″ × 96″) | Cast and Extruded | CNC routing, laser cutting, display |
| 4′ × 10′ (48″ × 120″) | Cast and Extruded | Sign shops, POP fixtures |
| 5′ × 8′ (60″ × 96″) | Cast | Architectural, cut-to-size |
| 5′ × 10′ (60″ × 120″) | Cast | Large display, glazing |
| 6′ × 8′ (72″ × 96″) | Cast | Architectural glazing |
| 6′ × 10′ (72″ × 120″) | Cast | Large format display |
| 8′ × 10′ (96″ × 120″) | Cast only | Museum cases, large panels |
Large-format sheets (5′×10′ and above) are typically available on indent (special order) with longer lead times. Confirm availability and lead time for project-critical dimensions before committing to a design.
Thickness Range
Acrylic sheet is available from nominal 0.060″ (1/16″) through 4.000″. Below is the standard progression for general-purpose cast and extruded sheet:
| Nominal Thickness | Decimal | Fraction | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16″ | 0.060″ | — | Thin overlays, lightweight display |
| 3/32″ | 0.093″ | — | Sign letters, glazing overlays |
| 1/8″ | 0.118″ | 1/8 | Most common — displays, frames, signs |
| 3/16″ | 0.177″ | — | Structural display, enclosure walls |
| 1/4″ | 0.220″ | — | Glazing, sneeze guards, barriers |
| 1/4″ | 0.236″ | — | Alternative 1/4″ metric-origin |
| 3/8″ | 0.354″–0.375″ | 3/8 | Heavy display, aquarium panels |
| 1/2″ | 0.472″–0.500″ | 1/2 | Structural, thick sign faces |
| 3/4″ | 0.750″ | 3/4 | Machine covers, heavy duty |
| 1.000″ | 1.000″ | 1 | Optical elements, thick glazing |
| 1.250″ | 1.250″ | — | Heavy structural |
| 1.500″ | 1.500″ | — | Heavy structural |
| 2.000″ | 2.000″ | 2 | Thick optical, aquarium walls |
| 3.000″ | 3.000″ | 3 | Custom optical, machined blanks |
| 4.000″ | 4.000″ | 4 | Heavy machine bases, art sculpture |
Thicknesses above 1.500″ are primarily available in cast grades and may require indent ordering.
Thickness Tolerance
Cast acrylic sheet carries a ±10% thickness tolerance per ASTM D4802. This is a manufacturing characteristic of the cell-cast process and cannot be reduced by specification. Key implications:
- A nominal 0.250″ cast sheet may measure 0.225″–0.275″
- A nominal 0.500″ cast sheet may measure 0.450″–0.550″
- For fits that require a known minimum or maximum thickness, measure incoming material before machining
Extruded acrylic carries a tighter ±5% tolerance, making it preferable for assemblies where sheet thickness directly affects dimensional accuracy (e.g., sliding fits, stacked assemblies with critical height).
Color Specifications
Clear Grades
Clear acrylic is the dominant specification. Optical data for standard clear sheet:
Manufacturer Color Code Systems
Acrylic color codes are manufacturer-specific and are not interchangeable. A "2447" Plexiglas color is not the same as a "2447" Acrylite color. When specifying color for a project involving multiple sources or future reorders, always record both the manufacturer name and the color code.
Common Plexiglas (Röhm) color codes — selected:
| Code | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 000 | Clear | Transparent |
| 030 | White | Opaque |
| 099 | Black | Opaque |
| 2422 | Light Bronze | Transparent tint |
| 2424 | Dark Bronze | Transparent tint |
| 2064 | Smoke Gray | Transparent tint |
| 2458 | Blue | Transparent tint |
Common Acrylite (Evonik) color codes — selected:
| Code | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 000 | Clear | Transparent |
| 030 | White | Opaque |
| 423-2 | Light Bronze | Transparent tint |
| 424-2 | Dark Bronze | Transparent tint |
Color codes for white and black acrylic sheets vary significantly in light transmission. "White" acrylic for sign cabinets (high light diffusion, ~40–60% transmission) differs from "white" opaque display material (near-zero transmission). Always specify transmission percentage alongside color code for illuminated applications.
Special Optical Grades
| Grade Type | Transmission | UV Block | Typical Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Clear | 92% | ~360 nm cutoff | General purpose |
| UV-Filtering (OP-2, UF-3) | ≥90% | ≥98% below 380 nm | Museum, archival |
| Anti-Reflective (AR) | >92% | Standard | Fine art framing, display |
| Mirror (one-way) | Varies | Standard | Decorative, one-way view |
| Light-Diffusing White | 40–70% | Standard | LED panel diffuser |
| Translucent Color | 20–80% | Standard | Illuminated signs |
Rod Specifications
Acrylic rod is available in cast and extruded forms. Cast rod has the same machining and optical advantages as cast sheet.
| Diameter (nominal) | Tolerance | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4″–1/2″ | ±0.010″–0.015″ | Cast or Extruded |
| 3/4″–1″ | ±0.020″–0.025″ | Cast or Extruded |
| 1-1/4″–2″ | ±0.025″–0.040″ | Cast or Extruded |
| 3″–6″ | ±0.060″–0.100″ | Cast |
Standard rod length is 4′ or 6′. Longer cuts may be available on indent.
Tube Specifications
Acrylic tube is produced by extrusion. Common stock dimensions:
| OD | Wall Thickness | ID | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 1/16″ | 3/8″ | Small diameter light pipe |
| 3/4″ | 1/16″ | 5/8″ | — |
| 1″ | 1/8″ | 3/4″ | Sample holders, diffusers |
| 1-1/2″ | 1/8″ | 1-1/4″ | — |
| 2″ | 3/16″ | 1-5/8″ | Display columns |
| 3″ | 3/16″ | 2-5/8″ | — |
| 4″ | 1/4″ | 3-1/2″ | Aquarium display |
| 6″ | 1/4″ | 5-1/2″ | — |
| 12″ | 1/4″ | 11-1/2″ | Large display, architectural |
Tube tolerances are OD ±3%, wall ±20%. Bore concentricity is not guaranteed — verify bore dimension for slip-fit applications. For tight-tolerance bores, machine from rod stock.
Physical and Regulatory Designations
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM D4802 | Standard specification for acrylic plastic sheet |
| ASTM D4802-10 Category A-1 | Cast sheet, general purpose |
| ASTM D4802-10 Category B-1 | Extruded sheet, general purpose |
| FDA 21 CFR 177.1010 | Acrylic for food-contact articles (OP-3 grade) |
| UL 94 HB | General purpose acrylic burns slowly (not FR) |
Acrylic does not carry a UL 94 V-rating in standard grades — it is flammable. Fire-retardant acrylic grades are available but less common; for applications requiring UL 94 V-0, polycarbonate or ABS FR grades should be considered.
View available acrylic stock sizes and request a quote
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