Is Acrylic the Same as Plexiglass? A Complete Guide for Buyers and Designers

What Is Acrylic?

Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic often used as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to glass. The technical name for acrylic is Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). It is manufactured in sheets, rods, and tubes, and it can be easily cut, bent, drilled, and shaped.
Key Properties of Acrylic:
- High clarity and transparency (up to 92% light transmission)
- Excellent weather resistance
- Lightweight (half the weight of glass)
- Impact resistance 10–20 times stronger than glass
- UV-resistant variants available
- Easy to fabricate and thermoform
Acrylic is widely used in applications such as retail displays, signage, furniture, aquariums, and light diffusers.

What Is Plexiglass?

Plexiglass is not a material, but rather a brand name. It was originally registered by the German company Röhm & Haas in the 1930s for their line of acrylic plastic products. Over time, the name 'Plexiglass' became synonymous with acrylic sheet.
Other popular brand names for acrylic include:
- Lucite®
- Acrylite®
- Perspex®
- Optix®
When someone says “Plexiglass,” they’re usually referring to a type of acrylic sheet.

Is Acrylic the Same as Plexiglass?

Technically, yes. Plexiglass is a type of acrylic. However, in practice, there are nuances, especially in terms of quality, manufacturing methods, and brand distinctions.
For example, Plexiglass products are typically made from cast acrylic, which offers higher clarity and durability compared to extruded acrylic.

Cast vs. Extruded Acrylic: What's the Real Difference?

Cast Acrylic:
- Made by pouring liquid acrylic into molds
- Higher optical clarity
- More resistant to chemicals
- Easier to polish and engrave
- More expensive
Extruded Acrylic:
- Produced by pushing melted acrylic through rollers
- More affordable
- Consistent thickness
- May chip or crack during cutting
Most branded Plexiglass products are cast acrylic.

Common Applications: Acrylic vs. Plexiglass

While the materials are essentially the same, your application might benefit from knowing exactly what type of acrylic you’re using.
Applications and Preferred Type:
- Laser cutting and engraving: Cast acrylic
- Budget signage: Extruded acrylic
- Display cases: Cast acrylic
- Outdoor signage: UV-resistant cast acrylic
- DIY home projects: Either, depending on budget

Why the Confusion?

The confusion between acrylic and Plexiglass largely comes down to branding. In markets like the U.S., consumers often use “Plexiglass” to describe any clear acrylic sheet, even though it originally referred to a specific product.

Tips for Buying Acrylic (or Plexiglass) Sheets

When sourcing acrylic materials:
1. Know whether it’s cast or extruded
2. Check for UV/weather resistance
3. Confirm thickness and tolerance
4. Consider branded products for better quality
5. Look for surface protection film
6. Always request samples when ordering in bulk

Conclusion: Plexiglass vs. Acrylic – Which One Should You Use?

To sum it up: Plexiglass is acrylic, but not all acrylic is Plexiglass. Plexiglass is a high-quality brand of cast acrylic. Focus on the type of acrylic and whether it meets the performance needs of your application.