Enter your parts and stock sheets. The optimizer generates a cutting plan in seconds. Free, no signup.
Buy more than one size? Add it as a sheet size - bought as needed. Leftover pieces from earlier jobs? Add them as offcuts - used when they save buying a sheet, never more than you have.
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A cut list calculator is a tool that takes a list of parts you need to cut and figures out the most efficient way to cut them from your stock material. Woodworkers, cabinet makers, and DIY builders use cut lists to turn 4x8 plywood sheets, MDF panels, or 2x4 lumber into finished project parts with as little waste as possible.
The terms cut list calculator, cut list generator, cutlist optimizer, cut sheet calculator, and cutting list calculator all describe the same kind of tool. Some shops drop the space and write “cutlist”; some say “board cut list” for lumber projects or “cut sheet” for the printed plywood cutting plan, and some just call it a cut optimizer. Whatever you call it, CutListCalc does it all in one tool.
Cut list optimization (or cutting list optimization) is the step that saves material. Behind the scenes, CutListCalc’s cut list optimizer runs a 2D bin-packing algorithm: it packs the largest parts first, tries three layouts (parts as entered, turned on end, and each turned whichever way fits best), accounts for saw blade kerf on every cut, and keeps the layout that uses the fewest sheets. For lumber and linear stock the same idea collapses to one dimension - the 1D Linear mode does the math for boards, trim, pipe, and bar stock.
No signup required. Start optimizing in under a minute.
Enter your available sheet sizes - plywood, MDF, melamine, OSB. Set material type and price per sheet.
Add part dimensions, quantities, and labels. Or load a project template to get started instantly.
Our algorithm calculates the optimal layout. Download a PDF with color-coded diagrams for the workshop.
A typical cabinet project has 30-50 parts cut from 4×8 plywood sheets at $45-80 each. Without optimization, you buy 1-3 extra sheets per job. That's $100-250 wasted - per project.
CutListCalc pays for itself on the first cut.
The optimizer works with any rectangular sheet good or any linear stock. Pick the material in the Stock panel; CutListCalc preselects a realistic default kerf for each one.
Standard 4x8 ft (2440x1220 mm) at most home centers; baltic birch is sold in 5x5 ft (1525x1525 mm) and 4x8 sheets. Hardwood plywood, sanded plywood, and CDX share the same dimensions. Plywood calculator: sheets and cost · sheet size guide.
Most MDF is sold 4x8 ft in 1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” thicknesses. Dust is heavy on cuts - some shops bump kerf up to 4 mm to avoid binding. MDF cut calculator.
Pre-laminated particleboard, common in cabinets. Standard 49x97” oversized sheets give you trim allowance for chip-out. Melamine cut calculator.
OSB ships 4x8 in 7/16”, 15/32”, 23/32”. Particleboard 4x8, often with melamine face. OSB calculator · particleboard calculator.
Switch the optimizer to 1D Linear mode for boards, dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, 2x8 in 8/10/12/16-foot lengths), trim, pipe, conduit, fence rails, or steel bar. Same algorithm, one dimension. Linear cut calculator.
Any rectangular sheet works. Set custom stock dimensions and kerf to match your saw or scoring tool.
Pre-filled cut lists for popular woodworking projects. Click to load into the optimizer.
Heavy-duty garage workbench
6-shelf floor-to-ceiling unit
Standard 10ft kitchen set
3 shelves with French cleat
4-tier heavy storage unit
Browse all project templates
Practical guides for getting better cut lists out of any project.
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