How to use the cut list optimiser
- Enter the length, width and quantity of each stock board or plywood sheet in inches. A stock quantity of 0 means unlimited sheets of that size.
- Add each rectangular part to your cutlist with its finished length, width and quantity. The free limit is 10 parts in total, including repeated pieces.
- Set the blade kerf to the width of material your saw removes on each cut.
- Select Generate cutting diagram to build your cut sheet. Check yield, sheets used, parts placed and any parts that could not fit before making board cuts.
How the layout is built
The cut list optimizer places the largest parts first into the best-fitting leftover space, using straight guillotine cuts and allowing part rotation. Each cut reserves space for one blade kerf. This heuristic finds a layout but does not guarantee the fewest sheets or least waste.
For grain-direction locking and multiple material groups, see Boardcut for iPhone. For plywood sheet-count estimates and kerf allowances, read the plywood cut calculator guide.
Cut list optimizer FAQ
Is cut list optimiser the same as cutlist optimizer?
Yes. Optimiser is the British spelling of optimizer; cutlist is another spelling of cut list. This free tool turns rectangular part dimensions into a cut sheet (also written cutsheet) with a board cutting diagram.
How do I make a cut sheet for plywood or board cuts?
Enter your stock sheet or board sizes, part dimensions and quantities in inches, then set the blade kerf and select Generate cutting diagram. Review the parts placed and any pieces that could not fit before cutting.
Is this a true guillotine cut layout?
Yes. Each part is separated by straight, edge-to-edge cuts across the remaining rectangle. The dashed lines mark cuts. The largest-area-first heuristic does not guarantee the optimal layout, so check the diagram before cutting.
Can I lock grain direction or use more than 10 parts?
This free web tool accepts up to 10 individual parts, including repeated quantities, and allows rotation. It does not lock grain direction. Boardcut for iPhone supports grain-direction locking and multiple material groups.
What does yield mean on the cut sheet?
Yield is the placed part area divided by the area of stock actually used, as a percentage. Reusable offcuts are not credited. Blade kerf affects the space left for parts, so enter your blade's actual cut width.