📐 Cut List Calculator
Calculate optimized cutting layouts from material sheets and cut lists to minimize waste in woodworking and fabrication projects
Your Result:
5 Pieces from 2 Boards - 87% Efficiency
Waste: 12.5" (13%) • Kerf Loss: 1"
📋 Material Requirements
Board #2 (96"): 24" + kerf + 18" + kerf + 12" = 54.25" used
🎯 Example Cut Layout
How to Use This Cut List Calculator
How to Use the Cut List Calculator:
- Choose your material type (boards for 1D cuts or sheets for 2D cuts)
- Enter your material dimensions - length for boards, length × width for sheets
- Set kerf width (saw blade thickness) - typically 1/8" for most saws
- Input your cut list with one piece per line:
- Boards: Just length (e.g., "24" or "30.5")
- Sheets: Length × width (e.g., "24 x 18" or "30.5 x 12")
- Multiple pieces: Add quantity like "24 (3x)" for three pieces
- Select optimization mode based on your priorities (waste vs cuts)
- Click "Calculate" to generate optimized cutting layouts
- Review cutting diagrams and material requirements
- Download or copy the results for your workshop
Pro Tips: Always measure your actual kerf width, add 5-10% safety margin for real projects, and consider grain direction for wood projects!
How It Works
Cut List Optimization Algorithm:
Our calculator uses sophisticated bin packing algorithms to find the most efficient cutting layouts:
- Input Processing: Parses your cut list and accounts for kerf width between cuts
- 1D Optimization: Uses First Fit Decreasing algorithm for boards, sorting largest pieces first
- 2D Optimization: Employs Bottom Left Fill heuristic for sheet nesting with rotation options
- Waste Calculation: Computes efficiency by comparing used vs. total material
- Layout Generation: Creates visual cutting diagrams showing exact piece placement
- Multiple Solutions: Evaluates different arrangements and selects optimal based on chosen mode
The algorithm considers kerf loss, grain direction constraints, and your optimization preferences to minimize waste while maintaining practical cutting sequences. Results include material requirements, waste percentages, and step-by-step cutting instructions.
When You Might Need This
- • Optimize plywood cutting for cabinet doors and shelves
- • Calculate lumber cuts for deck framing and boards
- • Plan sheet metal cutting for HVAC ductwork fabrication
- • Optimize MDF cuts for furniture making and trim work
- • Calculate board cuts for fence pickets and rails
- • Plan glass cutting for window replacement projects
- • Optimize vinyl siding cuts for home exterior projects
- • Calculate hardwood flooring cuts to minimize waste
- • Plan PVC pipe cuts for plumbing installations
- • Optimize fabric cutting for quilting and upholstery
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the kerf width affect cutting optimization?
Kerf width is the material lost to the saw blade thickness, typically 1/8" for circular saws. The calculator accounts for this loss between each cut, ensuring your pieces actually fit. Without accounting for kerf, you'd run out of material or have pieces that are too short. For precision work, measure your specific blade's kerf width.
What's the difference between 1D and 2D optimization?
1D optimization works with boards and lumber where you only cut along the length (like 2x4s or trim). 2D optimization handles sheets like plywood where you cut both length and width. The algorithms are different - 1D uses linear bin packing while 2D uses rectangular nesting algorithms for more complex optimization.
Which optimization mode should I choose for my project?
Choose 'Minimize Waste' for expensive materials like hardwood where material cost matters most. Choose 'Minimize Cuts' when labor time is more expensive than materials, or for production work. 'Balanced' works well for most DIY projects, giving good efficiency without too many complex cuts.
Can I include multiple quantities of the same piece in my cut list?
Yes! Use the format '24 (3x)' or '18 (2x)' to specify multiple pieces of the same dimension. This helps the optimizer group identical pieces together for more efficient layouts. You can also just list the same dimension multiple times on separate lines if preferred.
How accurate are the waste calculations and material estimates?
The calculations are mathematically precise based on your inputs, accounting for kerf loss between cuts. However, real-world factors like material defects, measurement errors, and cutting mistakes aren't included. It's recommended to add 5-10% extra material for safety margin on actual projects.