Melamine board cut list optimizer
Melamine board is particleboard or MDF with a hard, factory-applied decorative face. It is the standard for closet systems, garage cabinets and kitchen interiors. Plan every shelf and side below.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock sheets
| Name | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 sheet, 19% waste, 9 of 9 parts placed.
You need: 1 × 3/4 in Melamine (96″ × 48″)
Cut sequence (12 cuts)
- Rip 30″ from the 96″ × 48″ piece
- Crosscut 29″ from the 96″ × 30″ piece
- Crosscut 12″ from the 66 7/8″ × 30″ piece
- Crosscut 11 1/4″ from the 54 3/4″ × 30″ piece
- Crosscut 11 1/4″ from the 43 3/8″ × 30″ piece
- Rip 29 3/4″ from the 32″ × 30″ piece
- Crosscut 14 7/8″ from the 32″ × 29 3/4″ piece
- Crosscut 14 7/8″ from the 17″ × 29 3/4″ piece
- Rip 11″ from the 96″ × 17 7/8″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 96″ × 11″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 67 3/8″ × 11″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 38 3/4″ × 11″ piece
Every cut goes straight through the piece. Distances are measured from the top or left edge of the piece as drawn; the kerf is on the waste side of each line.
Reusable offcuts (2)
- 96″ × 6 3/4″
- 10 1/8″ × 11″
Melamine thickness: nominal vs actual
| Sold as | Typical actual | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 0.5 in | 12–13 mm |
| 5/8 in | 0.625 in | 16 mm |
| 3/4 in | 0.75 in | 18–19 mm |
Thicknesses vary by mill and batch. Measure your own sheets with calipers before cutting dados, rabbets or setting joinery.
Plain colors have no grain, so parts can rotate freely — the tool switches Grain off for melamine stock by default. Woodgrain decors are the exception: tick Grain on the sheet and on parts whose pattern must run vertically.
Melamine chips easily along the cut. A blade designed for laminates, a scoring cut and good support on both sides of the blade make the difference. Many suppliers also cut melamine to size on a panel saw — give them the printed cut diagrams.
Exposed edges need edge banding. Iron-on banding is about 0.5 mm thick and does not change your cut sizes, but thicker 1–2 mm PVC banding does: subtract the band thickness from each banded edge before entering the part.
Sheet weight
| Typical density | 40–46 lb/ft³ (641–737 kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| 3/4 in 4×8 sheet | 80–92 lb (36–42 kg) |
| Grain | No — parts rotate freely |
Cutting melamine
Triple-chip grind (TCG) or high-ATB blade with 60–80 teeth; a scoring blade or a shallow scoring pass prevents chipping on both faces. Measure your blade's kerf and enter it in the optimizer — see saw kerf explained — and follow the cut sequence from how to break down a sheet of plywood.
FAQ
How much does a sheet of melamine weigh?
A 3/4 in 4×8 sheet weighs roughly 80–92 lb (36–42 kg), based on a typical density of 40–46 lb/ft³. Check the supplier's data for your exact product.
Does melamine have a grain direction?
No. Melamine is uniform in every direction, so parts can be rotated freely — which usually improves yield.
What blade should I use to cut melamine?
Triple-chip grind (TCG) or high-ATB blade with 60–80 teeth; a scoring blade or a shallow scoring pass prevents chipping on both faces.