Lumber cut list optimizer
Work out how to cut 2x4s, boards, trim or pipe with the least waste. Enter the lengths you need and the board lengths you can buy — the optimizer includes saw kerf and gives you a shopping list and a cutting plan for every board.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Qty | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
Stock boards
| Name | Length in | Qty | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 boards, 4.8% waste, 15 of 15 parts placed.
You need: 2 × 2x4 (96″), 3 × 2x4 (144″)
How the lumber optimizer works
Cutting lengths from boards is a classic "cutting stock" problem. CutListKit fills each board with the combination of parts that leaves the least waste, tries several strategies (best-fit, first-fit and an exhaustive best-fill search), and keeps the plan that needs the fewest boards or the lowest cost. The example above — a 2x4 workbench — needs 2 × 8 ft + 3 × 12 ft 2x4s with 4.8% waste.
How to use it
- List the lengths you need. Enter each part length and quantity, or import a CSV. Use feet and inches (8' 6") or fractions.
- Add stock board lengths. Enter the lengths sold at your lumber yard — for example 8, 10 and 12 ft — with optional prices so the cheapest mix is chosen.
- Set kerf and end trim. Enter your blade kerf and how much to trim off each end to square up checked or damaged board ends.
- Buy and cut. Use the shopping list, then follow each board's cutting plan. Identical boards are grouped so you can cut them in a batch.
Board feet vs linear feet
Dimensional softwood like 2x4s is sold by the piece or the linear foot, so the optimizer's total length is what you pay for. Hardwood is sold by the board foot, a unit of volume. Use the board foot calculator to price hardwood, and see the lumber size pages for the actual dimensions of 1x4, 2x4, 2x6 and 4x4 boards.
Lumber sizes
- 1x4 lumberActually 3/4″ × 3 1/2″ (19 × 89 mm)
- 1x6 lumberActually 3/4″ × 5 1/2″ (19 × 140 mm)
- 1x12 lumberActually 3/4″ × 11 1/4″ (19 × 286 mm)
- 2x4 lumberActually 1 1/2″ × 3 1/2″ (38 × 89 mm)
- 2x6 lumberActually 1 1/2″ × 5 1/2″ (38 × 140 mm)
- 4x4 lumberActually 3 1/2″ × 3 1/2″ (89 × 89 mm)
FAQ
What is a 1D cut list optimizer?
A one-dimensional (linear) cut list optimizer works out how to cut a list of lengths from stock boards, bars or pipes with the least waste. Only length matters, so it is used for 2x4s, dimensional lumber, trim, moulding, metal tube and pipe.
How does kerf affect a lumber cut list?
Each cut turns a strip of wood into sawdust. With a 1/8-inch blade, cutting four 24-inch parts from a 96-inch board needs three cuts, so the last part is 3/8 inch short. The optimizer adds the kerf after every part except one that ends exactly at the end of the board.
Which board lengths should I buy?
Add every length your store sells, with prices if they differ per foot. The optimizer tries all combinations and picks the one with the lowest cost, or the lowest total length when there are no prices.
Can I use it for steel, pipe or trim?
Yes. The calculation is the same for any material cut to length — set the kerf of your saw (a metal chop saw or pipe cutter) and enter the stock lengths.