Aluminium Sheet Sizes & Thickness Guide: What’s Available in Malaysia
Quick Summary
Aluminium sheet is available in standard sizes from 1000 × 2000mm up to 1525 × 3660mm, with thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm to 5mm. The most commonly stocked size in Malaysia is 1220 × 2440mm (4′ × 8′). This guide covers the full range of sizes, thicknesses, and weight-per-square-metre data to help you order accurately.
Whether you’re ordering for signage, roofing, cladding, or general fabrication, this chart gives you the exact specifications you need – so you can calculate costs and quantities before placing your order.
Ordering aluminium sheet should be simple: pick your size, pick your thickness, and you’re done. But in practice, buyers in Malaysia often face confusion – especially when suppliers quote in different units, stock different standard sizes, or use terms like “gauge” instead of millimetres.
This guide cuts through that confusion. Below you’ll find the complete sizing and thickness data for the products most commonly available from Malaysian suppliers, along with practical guidance on which size works best for specific applications.
Standard Sheet Sizes in Malaysia
The following are the standard flat sheet sizes stocked by most aluminium suppliers in Malaysia. These sizes align with international standards and are available across all common alloy grades:
| Size (mm) |
Size (ft, approx.) |
Availability |
Best Suited For |
| 1000 × 2000 |
3.3′ × 6.6′ |
Common |
Small signage, trim, DIY projects |
| 1220 × 2440 |
4′ × 8′ |
Most common |
General fabrication, signage, cladding |
| 1250 × 2500 |
4.1′ × 8.2′ |
Common |
Construction panels, roofing |
| 1500 × 3000 |
4.9′ × 9.8′ |
Available on order |
Large facade panels, industrial cladding |
| 1525 × 3660 |
5′ × 12′ |
Available on order |
Heavy fabrication, large-format work |
Source: Chalco Aluminium
The 1220 × 2440mm (4′ × 8′) size is by far the most commonly ordered in Malaysia. If you’re unsure which size to order, this is the safest default – it’s universally stocked and fits most standard fabrication requirements.
For projects that require specific dimensions, custom cutting eliminates waste. At NY Hardware, we offer precision cutting to your exact measurements – so you only pay for the material you actually use.
Complete Thickness & Weight Chart
Below is the full thickness chart for sheet-grade aluminium (under 6mm), with the corresponding weight per square metre. These figures are calculated using aluminium’s standard density of 2.70 g/cm³ and apply across all common alloy grades:
| Thickness (mm) |
Weight (kg/m²) |
Weight of 4′×8′ Sheet (kg) |
Common Application |
| 0.5mm |
1.35 |
4.0 |
Packaging, light flashings |
| 0.8mm |
2.16 |
6.4 |
Guttering, ductwork |
| 1.0mm |
2.70 |
8.0 |
Signage, name plates |
| 1.2mm |
3.24 |
9.6 |
Signage, automotive trim |
| 1.5mm |
4.05 |
12.1 |
Roofing panels, light cladding |
| 2.0mm |
5.40 |
16.1 |
General fabrication, ACP panels |
| 2.5mm |
6.75 |
20.1 |
Enclosures, machine covers |
| 3.0mm |
8.10 |
24.1 |
Heavy signage, structural cladding |
| 4.0mm |
10.80 |
32.2 |
Floor panels, vehicle bodies |
| 5.0mm |
13.50 |
40.2 |
Heavy fabrication, checker plate |
Weight per m² = thickness (mm) × 2.70 kg. 4′×8′ area = 2.98 m².
Why weight matters: Knowing the weight per sheet helps you calculate transport costs, assess whether a structure can support the load, and estimate total project weight. A single 3mm sheet at 4′×8′ weighs about 24 kg – manageable for two workers. A 5mm sheet of the same size weighs over 40 kg – you’ll likely need lifting equipment.
Gauge vs Millimetres: Converting Old Measurements
Some suppliers and older specifications still reference aluminium thickness in “gauge” numbers rather than millimetres. This is a legacy measurement system where a higher gauge number means thinner material – the opposite of what most people expect.
Here’s a quick conversion for the most common gauges, based on the Alfiniti gauge chart:
| Gauge Number |
Thickness (mm) |
Thickness (inches) |
| 10 gauge |
3.40mm |
0.1019” |
| 12 gauge |
2.64mm |
0.0808” |
| 14 gauge |
1.98mm |
0.0641” |
| 16 gauge |
1.59mm |
0.0508” |
| 18 gauge |
1.24mm |
0.0403” |
| 20 gauge |
0.89mm |
0.0320” |
| 22 gauge |
0.71mm |
0.0253” |
| 24 gauge |
0.56mm |
0.0201” |
Our recommendation: Always order in millimetres. It’s the standard measurement used by Malaysian suppliers, eliminates conversion errors, and ensures you get exactly the thickness you need.
Which Thickness Do You Need? A Practical Guide
Choosing the right thickness depends on your application. Here’s a practical breakdown based on common projects in Malaysia:
0.5mm – 1.0mm: Lightweight Applications
Packaging, flashings, ductwork, and light decorative work. These thin gauges are easy to cut and form with basic hand tools but have no structural strength. Ideal for interior finishing and non-load-bearing applications.
1.2mm – 2.0mm: Signage & Cladding
This is the “sweet spot” for most signage and facade work in Malaysia. Strong enough to resist wind loading on outdoor signs, yet light enough for easy installation. ACP panels typically use sheets in this range bonded to a polyethylene core.
2.5mm – 3.0mm: General Fabrication
Enclosures, machine covers, equipment housings, and heavy-duty signage. At 3mm, the material has enough rigidity to maintain its shape without additional support framing in many applications.
4.0mm – 5.0mm: Heavy Duty
Vehicle body panels, floor plates, walkway surfaces, and the transition into plate-grade territory. At 5mm, you’re approaching the upper limit of what’s classified as “sheet” – anything thicker is technically aluminium plate.
Tips for Ordering the Right Size
Before placing your order, consider these practical tips that can save you money and reduce waste:
1. Calculate Your Nesting Layout First
If you need to cut multiple smaller pieces from a full sheet, plan your cutting layout before ordering. A well-planned nesting layout on a 1220 × 2440mm sheet can significantly reduce offcuts. Some projects are better served by a 1000 × 2000mm sheet if your parts fit more efficiently on the smaller size.
2. Factor In Bending Allowance
If your design involves bending or folding, you’ll need slightly more material than the flat dimensions suggest. The bend radius also increases with thickness – thicker sheets need wider bends to avoid cracking, especially in grades like 6061.
3. Consider Custom Cutting
Rather than buying full sheets and paying a separate fabricator to cut them, many suppliers – including NY Hardware – offer cut-to-size services. This eliminates waste, reduces handling, and often works out cheaper than buying full sheets and cutting separately.
Conclusion
Ordering aluminium sheet in Malaysia comes down to three decisions: what size, what thickness, and what grade. The charts above give you the exact data to make those decisions – from weight calculations to gauge conversions to application-specific recommendations.
At NY Hardware, we stock the full range of sheet sizes and thicknesses across all popular grades. Whether you need a single piece for a prototype or bulk supply for a construction project, contact our team for competitive pricing and fast delivery across Peninsular Malaysia.
For thicker material (6mm and above), see our aluminium plate guide. And to understand how thickness and grade affect cost, read what affects aluminium plate pricing in Malaysia.