How to optimize a cut list
Get the fewest boards and the least waste in four steps.
Set your stock length
Enter the length of the boards you will buy, or tap a hardware-store preset (6, 8, 10, 12 ft). Switch to millimetres for metric lumber.
Set the blade kerf
The kerf is the width of material a saw blade removes per cut — about 1/8" (0.125") for a standard table or miter saw. The optimizer subtracts it on every cut so your pieces never come up short.
Add your cuts
For each finished piece, enter the length and how many you need. Add as many rows as you like — the plan updates in real time.
Read the blueprint
Each board is drawn to scale with labelled cut segments and a hatched scrap region. The summary tells you how many boards to buy, total cuts, and waste percentage.
FAQ
How does the optimization work?
It uses a First-Fit-Decreasing (FFD) bin-packing algorithm: cuts are sorted longest-to-shortest, then each piece is placed in the first board it fits, accounting for the kerf removed by each cut. This packs pieces into the fewest boards in practice.
Is my cut list uploaded anywhere?
No. All calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, there is no login, and there are no usage limits.
Can I use fractions or decimals?
Use decimals — for example, enter 11.5 for 11½ inches or 0.125 for a 1/8" kerf.
What if a cut is longer than my board?
The tool flags any piece that cannot fit on a single board (including the kerf) so you can increase your stock length or split the piece.