How Big Is A Cutting Board? [Sizes Explored and Their Uses]

Cutting board shopping can be overwhelming. Not only are there multiple materials, but there are also different shapes and sizes. What sizes do these boards typically come in, and does the size even make a difference? We've done the research and can tell you about the different sizes of a cutting board.

Cutting boards can measure anywhere between 4 and 6 inches and 20 by 30 inches. The most common sizes range between 10 by 14 inches and 15 by 20 inches.

Keep reading to discover common features of a good quality cutting board and whether a serving board and cutting board are the same things.

Cutting Board Shapes

Along with size, the shape of a cutting board is essential. The shape of a board can help determine how easy it is to work with. It's important to have a board with enough surface area, and that is easy to store.

The most common shape for cutting boards is a rectangle. Rectangular boards can be as small or as big as desired and will still provide adequate working space.

Round boards are also common to find; however, they are more challenging to work with. Compared to rectangular boards, these boards have much less surface area to work with. This means that it's important to get a larger board than you would think is necessary. This will ensure you have enough working room. Round boards do make for great serving boards or display purposes.

Less common shapes for cutting boards are square and novelty. However, these boards aren't great for actual cutting. While some novelty cutting boards may have enough surface area, the strange shapes will still make it challenging to work with. These styles of boards are better suited for decor or serving options.

Check out this pig-shaped cutting board on Amazon.

Cutting Board Sizes

Standard

When it comes to cutting boards, the most common are sized around 12 by 18 inches. These boards are large enough to cut multiple foods while still being small enough that they're easy to store. Other typical sizes for a standard cutting board are 10 by 14 inches and 15 by 20 inches.

Small

Small cutting boards are easy to store. Its small size makes it a bad choice for cutting multiple items or meat. However, these boards are suitable for mincing herbs or single-serve fruits and snacks. Common sizes for a small cutting board are 4 by 6 inches, 5 by 7 inches, 6 by 9 inches, and 10 by 8 inches.

Large

Large cutting boards are tough to store but are great for cutting multiple items at once. Cutting boards of this size are usually used in commercial kitchens or as centerpieces in a home kitchen. Sizes for large cutting boards include 7 by 23 inches, 18 by 18 inches, 18 by 24 inches, 18 by 30 inches, and 20 by 30 inches.

Picking Your Size

Determining the best size for a cutting board is about deciding how much space you need. Your cutting board should allow enough room for you to hold and cut food without being crowded by piles of already cut food. This qualification means that cutting boards in the standard size range are best in many cases.

Keep in mind that it's always okay to use a larger cutting board than you think you need. Cutting herbs is easily done on either a 7 by 23 inch or a 4 by 6-inch board. However, you can't easily cut meat on a board if it's too small.

What should I look for in a good cutting board?

There are a few critical factors to keep in mind when selecting a cutting board. A good board should be easy on your knives. Marble, glass, and other materials are very hard and dull knives very quickly. Wood, plastic, and composites are much softer and are less likely to cause damage.

It's also important to get a large enough board. Some opt for a smaller board in the interest of saving space. However, not having enough space to cut up your food can be a hassle. A cutting board that is 12 by 18 inches is usually a good place to start. However, some may find they need a little more or less room.

Finally, a cutting board should be easy to clean and sanitize. Many plastic boards can be put in the dishwasher, but sometimes they absorb food smells. Wooden boards need a little bit more care when cleaning to improve their lifespan.

Does cutting board thickness matter?

The thickness of a cutting board plays an important role with certain materials. A plastic or silicone board can be thin, and it won't make a difference. However, a thin wooden or marble cutting board will not work as well as a thicker board.

Plastic cutting boards can have a thickness of only half an inch. Other materials will typically be between 1.25 and 2 inches thick. A thicker wood cutting board will make a higher quality, longer-lasting product. When looking for a wood cutting board, look for a thickness of at least 2 inches. These boards are less likely to warp or be otherwise damaged.

What size is a cheese cutting board?

Cheeseboards and cheese cutting boards can come in several different sizes. A typical rectangular cheeseboard is 9 by 13 inches. Read more about cheeseboard sizes at What Size Should A Cheese Board Be?

You can use a standard cutting board for cheese. However, there are cutting boards with a slicer attached to them, which is great for cheese. These specialized boards come in an extensive range of sizes. The smaller ones measure around 5 by 8 inches, but more common sizes are around 9 by 9 inches.

Check out this marble cutting board with attached cheese slicer on Amazon.

Is a serving board the same as a cutting board?

Check out this Acacia serving tray set on Amazon.

While a serving board and a cutting board can look the same, they were created to do different things. A serving board is used to present food. It can be made from wood or other stunning material, such as granite. When a serving board is made from wood, it will typically be made from face grain. This grain of the board holds most of the wood's beautiful designs and is easily scratched.

A wooden cutting board is commonly made from timber's end grain. This portion of the wood is tougher and will hold up to consistent cutting. While a serving board and cutting board can be used interchangeably, they last longer when used correctly.

In Closing

Cutting boards come in many different shapes and sizes to fit the needs of your kitchen. While the best sizes are typically 12 by 18 inches and larger, you can also find boards as small as 4 by 6 inches. Whatever size you pick, make sure you have enough room to cut and store food on the board.