Lumber Cut List Optimizer — Minimize Waste with Kerf and Cut Order
Optimize boards and cuts
Cut list optimizer — quick guide & how it works
How to use it
Pick Imperial or Metric. The interface snaps to your system so every label, helper line, and unit chip matches. Enter your stock board lengths—one per line—then add each required piece with a quantity. Set kerf (blade thickness), optional trim per piece for squaring, and an offcut threshold so the tool knows what counts as scrap vs. reusable.
What you’ll get
The planner builds a board-by-board cut sequence, shows total stock length, and reports waste plus reusable offcuts at or above your threshold. If any requested part is longer than your longest board, you’ll get a clear warning with next steps.
Tips for accurate results
- Use long to short as your first pass; it usually improves yield and keeps the plan easy to follow at the saw.
- Measure stock, don’t trust labels—enter the actual lengths you have on the horses.
- Set kerf to your blade: ~0.125 in (3 mm) is common; thin-kerf can be ~0.094 in (2.4 mm).
- Add a small trim allowance if you burn the factory end or square each piece before final length.
Assumptions in the math
No kerf is charged before the first cut on a board; kerf is applied between consecutive cuts. Trim is added per piece before packing. The algorithm packs pieces into your listed boards in the order you choose, stopping with a message if stock is insufficient.
Common questions
Can I mix stock lengths?
Yes—enter one board per line. The optimizer uses them as listed.
Why long to short?
Placing larger parts first reduces stranded inches and improves yield.
How are offcuts handled?
Remainders ≥ your threshold are listed as reusable; shorter pieces are counted as scrap.
What if a piece is longer than any board?
You’ll get a warning. Consider longer stock, a glue-up, or splitting the part and joining mechanically.