A cutting list optimizer helps woodworkers minimize waste when cutting boards to size. Enter your available stock board lengths and the pieces you need, and the tool calculates the most efficient way to cut them using the First Fit Decreasing algorithm. Save lumber, save money, and reduce trips to the lumber yard.
Stock Boards
Required Cuts
| Label | Length | Qty |
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Cost Savings
Cutting Diagrams
How to Use the Cutting List Optimizer
Buying more lumber than you need is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes in woodworking. A cutting list optimizer solves this by calculating the most efficient way to cut your required pieces from available stock boards, minimizing waste and saving you money at the lumber yard.
Step 1: Add Your Stock Boards
Start by selecting your unit of measurement (inches, feet, or millimeters). Then enter the lengths and quantities of stock boards you have available or plan to purchase. Use the quick-add presets for common lumber lengths like 8-foot, 10-foot, and 12-foot boards. You can add multiple stock lengths to reflect what your lumber yard carries.
Step 2: Enter Your Required Cuts
Add each required piece to the cut list with its length and quantity. Optionally give each cut a label (like "Shelf side" or "Door rail") so the cutting diagram is easy to follow in the workshop. The optimizer handles any number of different-length pieces.
Step 3: Set the Kerf Width
Kerf is the width of material removed by each saw cut. A standard table saw blade removes about 1/8 inch (0.125"). Thinner blades remove less; dado stacks remove more. Accounting for kerf is essential for accurate results because each cut on a board consumes the cut length plus one kerf width.
Step 4: Optimize and Review
Click Optimize Cuts to run the First Fit Decreasing algorithm. The results show how many boards you need, total waste in length and percentage, and a board-by-board visual diagram. Each board is shown as a bar with color-coded cut segments and a gray waste remainder, so you can see exactly where to make each cut.
Step 5: Compare Costs
Enter the price per board to see how much money the optimized layout saves compared to a naive approach where each cut uses its own board. This comparison shows the real value of planning your cuts before you start cutting.
Understanding the Algorithm
The optimizer uses the First Fit Decreasing (FFD) bin-packing algorithm. It sorts all required cuts from longest to shortest, then tries to fit each piece on the first board that has enough remaining space. This greedy strategy is fast and produces near-optimal results in practice, typically within 20% of the mathematical best case. For most woodworking projects, it matches or beats what an experienced woodworker would figure out by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this cutting list optimizer free?
Yes, the cutting list optimizer is completely free with no limits, no signup, and no account required. Run as many optimizations as you need. All calculations happen locally in your browser.
Is my data private and secure?
Absolutely. Everything runs entirely in your browser. Your stock lengths, cut lists, and optimization results are never sent to any server. No data ever leaves your device.
What algorithm does this tool use?
The optimizer uses the First Fit Decreasing (FFD) algorithm, which sorts cuts from longest to shortest and places each cut on the first board with enough remaining space. FFD is proven to use at most 11/9 times the optimal number of boards plus one, making it highly efficient for real-world cutting problems.
How does the kerf setting affect my results?
Kerf is the width of material removed by the saw blade, typically 1/8 inch for a standard table saw blade. The optimizer adds kerf width between each cut on a board, reducing the usable length. A thinner blade (1/16 inch) wastes less material, while a thicker blade (3/16 inch) requires more stock.
Can I use different stock board lengths?
Yes. You can add multiple stock lengths with different quantities. For example, you might have five 8-foot boards and three 10-foot boards. The optimizer considers all available stock when finding the best cutting plan.
How do I minimize waste in my woodworking project?
Enter all your required cuts along with every stock board you have available. The optimizer will pack cuts efficiently, longest pieces first. Compare the optimized board count against the naive approach to see exactly how many boards you save.
What units does the cutting list optimizer support?
The tool supports inches, feet, and millimeters. All stock lengths and cut lengths must use the same unit. Select your preferred unit before entering measurements for consistent results.
How accurate is the cost savings estimate?
The cost savings shows the difference between the naive approach (one cut per board) and the optimized layout, multiplied by your price per board. Actual savings depend on your specific lumber prices and whether you can return unused boards.