Cutting Board Size Guide
Which Cutting Board Size Is Right for You?
MNCWOOD boards range from compact charcuterie pieces to full butcher blocks. The right size depends on how you cook, how much counter space you have, and what you'll use the board for most often.
At a Glance
| Category | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 305×250 mm | Cheese, bread, charcuterie, serving |
| Medium | 335×310 to 400×300 mm | Everyday cooking, most kitchens |
| Large | 430×330 to 500×310 mm | Serious home cooks, large families, meat prep |
| Professional | 400×300×70 mm | Heavy-duty butcher block use |
Small — up to 305×250 mm
Compact and easy to store. Ideal for:
- Small kitchens or apartments
- Serving cheese and charcuterie
- Cutting fruit, herbs, bread
- A gift for someone who already has a main board
Limitation: not enough room for a whole chicken or a large squash.
Medium — 335×310 to 400×300 mm, 30–40 mm thick
The most versatile size and the one most people buy. Fits comfortably on a standard kitchen counter, but big enough for:
- Vegetable prep for a family meal
- Carving smaller roasts
- Rolling out small doughs
If you buy one board, this is the category to buy from.
Large — 430×330 to 500×310 mm
For serious home cooks. Enough surface to:
- Break down a whole chicken
- Prep multiple vegetables at once without scraping them off
- Carve a brisket or prime rib
- Work as a showpiece on a kitchen island
Requires dedicated counter space — not ideal for tight kitchens.
Professional Series — 70 mm thick
Our butcher block with pull-out steel tray is a different animal. The 70 mm thickness resists flex from heavy cleaver work and holds up to years of professional use. Choose this if:
- You cut bone-in meat regularly
- You're outfitting a prep station
- You want a board that will not move under the knife
Thickness Explained
| Thickness | Feel | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 25–30 mm | Light, easy to move | Everyday prep, serving |
| 35–40 mm | Substantial, stable | Everyday plus heavier tasks |
| 70 mm | Immovable, butcher-grade | Heavy duty, pro use |
A thicker board also lasts longer — there's more material to sand and refinish over its lifetime.
Weight Matters
End-grain hardwood is heavy. A 400×300×40 mm board in oak or sapele weighs around 4–5 kg. A 500×310×40 mm board can exceed 6 kg. This is a feature, not a bug — weight keeps the board planted on the counter — but consider it if you'll be moving the board to a sink or shelf daily.
Gift Guidance
- Wedding or housewarming: go Medium (around 400×300 mm). Versatile, substantial, and clearly a real gift rather than a token.
- Foodie who already has a full kitchen: go Large or Professional. It's the board they'd never buy for themselves.
- Someone in a small apartment: go Small. A Large board sitting unused is a sad thing.
Add free engraving on selected boards for a personal touch.
Still Unsure?
Contact us with your counter dimensions and a note about how you cook. We'll help you choose.