Raised garden bed cut list (4 × 8 ft)
Lumber list for a classic 4 × 8-foot raised bed, two 2x6 boards high (about 11 inches deep), with 2x4 corner posts. The cutting plan shows how to buy the fewest boards.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Qty | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
Stock boards
| Name | Length in | Qty | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 boards, 2.1% waste, 8 of 8 parts placed.
You need: 3 × 2x6 (96″), 2 × 2x6 (144″)
Raised garden bed cut list
With a 1/8-inch kerf, the optimizer places all 8 parts on 3 × 8 ft 2x6 and 2 × 12 ft 2x6 — 2.1% waste and 6 cuts.
| Part | Length | Qty | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long side | 96″ | 4 | 2x6 |
| End | 45″ | 4 | 2x6 |
Also cut:
| Corner post (2x4) | 11 in | 4 |
| Center brace (optional, 2x4) | 45 in | 1 |
Assumptions
- Long sides run the full 96 inches; ends fit between them (48 − 2 × 1 1/2 = 45 inches).
- Two courses of 2x6 give an 11-inch deep bed.
- Corner posts are 2x4, cut 11 inches long (separate list on the right).
- Use naturally rot-resistant wood such as cedar, or lumber rated for ground contact.
Planning tips
An 8-foot side uses a whole 8-foot board with no cut at all — the optimizer recognizes that a part exactly as long as the board needs no kerf. Two 45-inch ends fit on one 8-foot board, or one side plus one end on a 12-foot board, so several buying plans use exactly the same total length; with no prices entered, the optimizer picks the one with the fewest boards.
If your store sells 12-foot boards at a lower price per foot, enter prices in the Price column: the optimizer will choose the cheapest mix of lengths instead of the shortest total length.
New to cut lists? Read how to make a cut list and use the board foot calculator for hardwood.
FAQ
How many boards do I need for a raised garden bed?
With a 1/8-inch kerf, the optimizer places all 8 parts on 3 × 8 ft 2x6 and 2 × 12 ft 2x6 — 2.1% waste and 6 cuts. Change any size in the optimizer to recalculate.
Can I change the dimensions?
Yes. Edit any length, width or quantity in the parts list above and the layout updates instantly. Your changes are saved in your browser, and you can export the list as CSV or copy a link.
Does the cut list include the saw kerf?
The part sizes are finished sizes. The optimizer adds the kerf between parts when it lays them out, so you do not need to add it yourself.