Free tool · Cutting & sheet goods
Cutlist Optimizer
Enter your parts and sheet size to get an optimized cutting layout: how many sheets you need, the waste percentage, and a diagram for every sheet. Accounts for saw kerf and part rotation, in inches or millimeters.
Stock sheets
Parts
Cutlist Optimizer, explained
What does a cutlist optimizer do?
A cutlist optimizer arranges your parts onto full sheets of plywood or panel stock so you use the fewest sheets and waste the least material. You enter each part size and quantity, the size of your stock sheet (a 4 by 8 foot sheet is 96 by 48 inches), and the saw kerf, which is the width of material the blade removes on every cut. The optimizer then packs the parts and shows how many sheets you need and how much offcut is left over.
This tool uses a guillotine layout, the straight edge-to-edge cuts a table saw or panel saw actually makes, and can rotate parts to fit when grain direction allows. The result is a cutting diagram for each sheet plus a waste percentage, so you can buy the right amount of material and cut with less guesswork. It runs entirely in your browser and works in inches or millimeters.
How it works
How the Cutlist Optimizer works.
Waste % = 100 x (1 - used part area / total sheet area). Parts are packed with straight guillotine cuts, and saw kerf is removed between adjacent parts. - Set your stock sheet width and height, and choose inches or millimeters.
- Enter the saw kerf, the material your blade removes per cut (often 1/8 inch or about 3 mm).
- Add each part with its width, height, and quantity. Use the label to name parts like side, shelf, or door.
- Leave rotation on to let parts turn 90 degrees to fit, or turn it off to keep grain direction consistent.
- Read the sheet count and waste, and use the per-sheet diagrams to cut.
Example: cutting 10 sides at 30 by 23 inches and 8 shelves at 30 by 11 inches from 96 by 48 inch sheets, with a 1/8 inch kerf, packs onto a small number of sheets with the cutting layout shown for each.
Cutlist Optimizer FAQ
Cutlist Optimizerquestions.
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What is a cutlist optimizer?
A cutlist optimizer is a tool that arranges your cut parts onto full sheets of material so you use the fewest sheets and leave the least waste. It produces a cutting diagram and tells you how many sheets to buy.
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What size is a sheet of plywood?
A standard sheet is 4 by 8 feet, which is 96 by 48 inches or about 2440 by 1220 mm. Baltic birch often comes in 5 by 5 foot (60 by 60 inch) sheets. Set whatever size your supplier sells in the stock fields.
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What is saw kerf and why does it matter?
Kerf is the width of material the saw blade turns into dust on every cut, commonly about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Ignoring it makes parts come out undersized, because each cut between two parts eats a kerf of material. This optimizer removes one kerf strip between adjacent parts so the layout is buildable.
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Should I allow part rotation?
Allowing rotation lets the optimizer turn parts 90 degrees to fit, which usually improves yield. Turn it off when grain direction matters, for example on visible door or drawer fronts where the grain must run a specific way.
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Is this cutlist optimizer free?
Yes. It is free to use with no sign-up and runs entirely in your browser. Fast Kitchen Design builds these tools for the cabinet trade because design is what we charge for, at a flat $100 per design.
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