How to Build a Bookshelf
A bookshelf is two sides, a top, a bottom, shelves, a thin back and a base, all cut from one or two sheets of board. Built from 3/4 in plywood with adjustable shelves, it is one of the best first projects in sheet goods: straight cuts, simple joints and a result you use every day. Here is the whole build.
What you need
- Board: one 4 × 8 sheet of 3/4 in (18 mm) plywood for a case up to 6 ft tall and 30 in wide; a 1/4 in (6 mm) sheet for the back.
- Hardware: shelf pins (5 mm or 1/4 in), 1 1/4 in pocket-hole screws or 2 in wood screws, wood glue, small nails for the back, an anti-tip strap.
- Tools: a circular saw or track saw with a straight guide, a drill, a shelf-pin jig, clamps, a square and edge banding with an iron.
1. Choose the size
Most bookcases are 10–12 in deep, 30–36 in wide and 72 in tall; see standard bookshelf dimensions for every size. Plan sections 24–32 in wide, and remember that long shelves sag under books: plain 3/4 in plywood stays flat to about 22 in under hardcovers and MDF to about 15 in, so wider shelves need a front strip (step 9 below).
2. Make the cut list
For a case 72 in tall, 32 in wide and 11 3/4 in deep with the top and bottom between the sides:
| Part | Qty | Size | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side | 2 | 72 × 11 3/4 in | Full height |
| Top and bottom | 2 | 30 1/2 × 11 3/4 in | 32 − 2 × 3/4 |
| Shelf (adjustable) | 4 | 30 3/8 × 11 in | 1/8 in shorter, set back 3/4 in |
| Base rail | 1 | 30 1/2 × 3 in | Toe kick under the bottom |
| Back | 1 | 72 × 32 in, 1/4 in | Nailed on the back |
If you would rather not calculate it, our free bookshelf plan gives every part for your own size, with the sheet layout:
3. Cut the parts
Rip the sheet into strips the depth of the case first, then cross-cut the strips to length. Cut both sides together, or with a stop, so they are exactly the same length; otherwise the case rocks and the shelves tilt. Keep the face grain running along the length of each part.
4. Edge band the front edges
Iron veneer edge banding onto the front edge of the sides, top, bottom and shelves, then trim it flush. Banding before assembly is much easier than after.
5. Drill the shelf-pin holes
Lay the two sides next to each other with their bottom ends aligned and drill both from the same reference, so the shelves sit level. Use a jig: two rows of holes, 1 1/2 in (37 mm) from the front and back edges, 32 mm (1 1/4 in) apart, stopping a few inches from the top and bottom. Use a stop collar so you never drill through.
6. Join the case
Glue and screw the top and bottom between the sides. Pocket screws from the underside of the bottom and the top of the top stay hidden; dadoes 1/4 in deep make the strongest case. On a case taller than 48 in, fix one shelf in the middle with screws as well: it stops the sides bowing outwards.
7. Square it with the back
Measure the diagonals and push the case until they are equal. Then glue and nail the back on, every 6 in or so, keeping the case square. The back is what stops the bookcase racking sideways.
8. Base, finish and anchor
Screw the base rail under the bottom, set back 1/2 in, so the case stands on its sides and clears skirting boards. Sand, finish, set the shelves on their pins, then fasten the top of the case to a wall stud with an anti-tip strap.
9. Stop the shelves sagging
A full shelf of hardcovers weighs about 20 lb per foot. A 3/4 in plywood shelf carries that over about 22 in without any visible sag; beyond about 26 in the bow starts to show. Glue a 3/4 × 1 1/2 in hardwood strip under the front edge and it stays flat to about 33 in. Check your own shelves:
Want a built-in?
A built-in bookcase is the same case with cabinets below and a top fitted to the wall. Our built-in plan works out both parts together:
Frequently asked questions
How much plywood do I need for a bookshelf?
One 4 × 8 sheet of 3/4 in plywood makes a bookcase about 6 ft tall, 30 in wide and 11 3/4 in deep, with a top, a bottom and four shelves. The back needs a separate 1/4 in sheet.
What is the best wood for a bookshelf?
Plywood: it is stiff, holds screws well and sags far less than MDF or particle board. Birch plywood is the stiffest; MDF is fine for short shelves you plan to paint.
How deep should a bookshelf be?
10–12 in (25–30 cm) fits nearly all books. Paperbacks need only 8 in; art books and records need 13–14 in.
Do I need to anchor a bookshelf to the wall?
Yes, for anything taller than about 30 in. A loaded bookcase can tip when a child climbs it or a drawer is pulled; an anti-tip strap or an L-bracket into a stud prevents it.