Calculator
Cut List Optimizer
Plan straight part cuts from available board, panel, lumber, or timber stock and estimate waste. Use it when turning a project parts list into a practical cutting plan before marking and cutting material.
Basic cut list optimizer
This uses a practical first-fit decreasing approach. It is not guaranteed to find the absolute optimal layout, and you should verify the cuts manually before cutting lumber/timber.
Result
Enter stock and part lengths, then calculate a basic layout.
These results are estimates only. Verify measurements, material specifications, structural requirements, safety requirements, and local building rules before buying materials or building.
How this calculator works
This is a basic cut list optimizer for boards, rails, trim, and similar straight lumber/timber cuts. It expands the required parts by quantity, converts lengths to millimetres, sorts parts longest to shortest, and places each part into the first stock board where it fits.
The approach is practical first-fit decreasing, not mathematical perfection. Results may not be the absolute optimal layout, and they do not account for grain direction, defects, board selection, joinery orientation, or workshop cut order.
Formula
- Expand required parts by quantity.
- Convert all stock and part lengths to millimetres.
- Sort parts from longest to shortest.
- For each part, try the first existing stock board where it fits; if none fit, start a new stock board.
- Used length = sum of part lengths on the board + kerf x number of gaps between parts.
- Remaining waste = stock board length - used length.
- Estimated cost = stock boards needed x stock board price.
Worked example
If stock boards are 2400 mm long and the parts are 1200 mm, 700 mm, and 420 mm with a 3 mm kerf, the optimizer places the longest parts first and checks the remaining space on each board.
Kerf is applied between cuts on a board. This means a board with three parts includes two kerf gaps in the used-length estimate.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a basic optimizer always finds the absolute best layout.
- Forgetting saw kerf, blade choice, end trimming, and cleanup cuts.
- Ignoring knots, splits, bow, twist, grain direction, and visible-face selection.
- Cutting directly from the screen without marking and verifying the real boards.
FAQs
Is this cut list optimizer mathematically perfect?
No. It uses a practical first-fit decreasing method. It can be useful, but it may not find the absolute optimal layout.
How is saw kerf handled?
Kerf is applied between cuts on a board, which is similar to applying kerf after each cut except the final cut on that board.
Can I use metric and imperial lengths together?
Yes. Each part row can use its own unit, and the calculator converts everything to millimetres internally.
Does this account for defects or grain direction?
No. Check each board manually for defects, grain, visible faces, and joinery needs before cutting.
Can this estimate stock cost?
Yes. Enter an optional stock board price and currency symbol to estimate basic stock-board cost.
Calculator disclaimer
These results are estimates only. Verify measurements, material specifications, structural requirements, safety requirements, and local building rules before buying materials or building.