Twenty-three finite element models of cross-laminated timber (CLT) with different laminate directions were studied. Simulations with quadratic orthotropic linear elastic finite elements were conducted. One goal was to compare in-plane shear stiffnesses for CLT blocks made up from Norway Spruce (Picea abies) boards. 3- and 5-layer CLT were studied with board sizes 25x150x1200 mm. Bloc sizes were 75x1200x1200 and 125x1200x1200 mm for 3-layer and 5-layer blocs, respectively. The first and last layers laminate directions were assumed to be in direction 0^○. The second and fourth layers laminate directions for 5-layer models were assumed equal and were 5^○, 10^○, 15^○, 30^○, 45^○, 60^○, 75^○ and 90^○. The middle layer was in direction 0^○ or 90^○. For 3-layer models the middle layers laminate directions were 5^○, 10^○, 15^○, 30^○, 45^○, 60^○, 75^○ and 90^○. No edge gluing was assumed and thus all side edges were allowed to separate or overlap. Glued contact surfaces were assumed to be perfectly glued with rigid glue. The results for 5-layer models showed that all models with angled second and fourth layers were stiffer than the models with 90^○ layers. Stiffnesses for models with angled second and fourth layers were higher when the middle layer laminate direction was 90^○ compared to 0^○. The stiffest 5-layer model was the one with laminate directions 0/45/90/45/0. This stiffness was 1.5 times the shear stiffness of a reference block with 1-layer and solid timber shear stiffness. The stiffest 3-layer model was the one with laminate directions 0/30/0. This stiffness was 0.99 times the shear stiffness of the reference bloc.