Plywood cut list optimizer
Plywood is the workhorse of cabinets, built-ins and shop furniture. Lay out your parts on full sheets with the grain running the right way, and see the real thickness of each nominal size.
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 Plywood (96″ × 48″)
Cut sequence (15 cuts)
- Crosscut 29″ from the 96″ × 48″ piece
- Rip 30″ from the 29″ × 48″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 29″ × 17 7/8″ piece
- Rip 11″ from the 28 1/2″ × 17 7/8″ piece
- Crosscut 29 3/4″ from the 66 7/8″ × 48″ piece
- Rip 14 7/8″ from the 29 3/4″ × 48″ piece
- Rip 14 7/8″ from the 29 3/4″ × 33″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 29 3/4″ × 18″ piece
- Rip 11″ from the 28 1/2″ × 18″ piece
- Crosscut 30″ from the 37″ × 48″ piece
- Rip 12″ from the 30″ × 48″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30″ × 35 7/8″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30″ × 24 1/2″ piece
- Crosscut 28 1/2″ from the 30″ × 13 1/8″ piece
- Rip 11″ from the 28 1/2″ × 13 1/8″ 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 (3)
- 6 7/8″ × 48″
- 28 1/2″ × 6 7/8″
- 28 1/2″ × 6 3/4″
Plywood thickness: nominal vs actual
| Sold as | Typical actual | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 7/32 in (0.219) | 5.2–5.6 mm |
| 3/8 in | 11/32 in (0.344) | 8.7 mm |
| 1/2 in | 15/32 in (0.469) | 11.9 mm |
| 5/8 in | 19/32 in (0.594) | 15.1 mm |
| 3/4 in | 23/32 in (0.703) | 17.9 mm |
Thicknesses vary by mill and batch. Measure your own sheets with calipers before cutting dados, rabbets or setting joinery.
Construction and most hardwood plywood is sold by nominal thickness but made slightly thinner: a "3/4 inch" sheet is usually 23/32 inch (about 18 mm). That 1/32 inch matters for dados, rabbets and the overall width of a carcass, so measure your sheet with calipers and cut joinery to the real thickness. Cut list part sizes are not affected — they are length and width.
The face veneer gives plywood a grain direction that normally runs along the 8-foot length. For visible parts such as cabinet sides, doors and drawer fronts, tick Grain so the optimizer keeps the part length along the sheet length. For shelves, grain along the length also makes the shelf stiffer across its span.
Plywood faces tear out easily on the exit side of the blade. On a table saw, keep the good face up; with a circular or track saw, good face down. Scoring the line or using painter's tape helps on expensive veneers like walnut and white oak.
Laying whole sheets on a floor, roof or wall? Count them with the subfloor, roof sheathing or wall sheathing calculator.
Sheet weight
| Typical density | 32–44 lb/ft³ (513–705 kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| 3/4 in (23/32) 4×8 sheet | 60–82 lb (27–37 kg) |
| Grain | Yes — lock visible parts |
Cutting plywood
60–80 tooth ATB (alternate top bevel) blade for crosscuts and sheet goods; a zero-clearance insert or tape on the cut line reduces tear-out on the face veneer. 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 plywood weigh?
A 3/4 in (23/32) 4×8 sheet weighs roughly 60–82 lb (27–37 kg), based on a typical density of 32–44 lb/ft³. Check the supplier's data for your exact product.
Does plywood have a grain direction?
Yes. The face veneer has a grain that usually runs along the sheet length. Tick Grain on parts that must follow it.
What blade should I use to cut plywood?
60–80 tooth ATB (alternate top bevel) blade for crosscuts and sheet goods; a zero-clearance insert or tape on the cut line reduces tear-out on the face veneer.