2×4 project panel cut list optimizer
A 2×4 foot project panel (24 × 48 inches, 8 square feet) is a quarter of a full sheet. It is sold pre-cut in plywood, MDF, hardboard and pegboard, fits in any car and is perfect for small builds.
Parts
| Label | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock sheets
| Name | Length in | Width in | Qty | Grain | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 sheets, 39.6% waste, 10 of 10 parts placed.
You need: 4 × 2x4 sheet (48″ × 24″)
Cut sequence (2 cuts)
- Crosscut 30″ from the 48″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 22 1/2″ from the 30″ × 24″ 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 (1)
- 17 7/8″ × 24″
Cut sequence (3 cuts)
- Crosscut 30″ from the 48″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 30″ × 12 5/8″ 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 (1)
- 17 7/8″ × 24″
Cut sequence (7 cuts)
- Crosscut 24″ from the 48″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 12″ from the 24″ × 24″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 24″ × 11 7/8″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 22 1/2″ × 11 7/8″ piece
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 23 7/8″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 22 1/2″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 22 1/2″ × 12 5/8″ 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.
Cut sequence (4 cuts)
- Crosscut 22 1/2″ from the 48″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 11 1/4″ from the 22 1/2″ × 24″ piece
- Rip 3″ from the 22 1/2″ × 12 5/8″ piece
- Rip 3″ from the 22 1/2″ × 9 1/2″ 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)
- 25 3/8″ × 24″
- 22 1/2″ × 6 3/8″
2×4 project panel at a glance
| Size | 24 × 48 in |
|---|---|
| Also written | 610 × 1219 mm |
| Area | 8 sq ft (0.74 m²) |
| Kerf used below | 1/8″ |
With only 24 inches of width, kerf matters: two 12-inch parts side by side do not fit in a 24-inch panel once the blade takes 1/8 inch — you get one 12-inch strip and one 11 7/8-inch strip. The optimizer accounts for this automatically, and the strip table below shows the real counts.
Project panels usually have the face grain along the 48-inch length. Shelves and long parts should follow it; small squares and hidden parts can be rotated.
Quarter sheets cost more per square foot than full sheets. When the optimizer says you need three or more panels, compare the price with a half or full sheet that the store can rip for you.
How many strips fit on a 2x4 sheet?
Full-length rips across the 24″ width, and crosscut strips across the 48″ length, with a 1/8″ kerf.
| Strip width | Rips | Left over | Crosscut strips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 1/2″ | 14 | 1 3/8″ | 29 |
| 2″ | 11 | 3/4″ | 22 |
| 3″ | 7 | 2 1/4″ | 15 |
| 3 1/2″ | 6 | 2 3/8″ | 13 |
| 4″ | 5 | 3 1/2″ | 11 |
| 5 1/2″ | 4 | 1 5/8″ | 8 |
| 6″ | 3 | 5 3/4″ | 7 |
| 7 1/4″ | 3 | 2″ | 6 |
| 8″ | 2 | 7 7/8″ | 5 |
| 9 1/4″ | 2 | 5 3/8″ | 5 |
| 10″ | 2 | 3 7/8″ | 4 |
| 11 1/4″ | 2 | 1 3/8″ | 4 |
| 12″ | 1 | 12″ | 3 |
| 14″ | 1 | 10″ | 3 |
| 15 3/4″ | 1 | 8 1/4″ | 3 |
| 16″ | 1 | 8″ | 2 |
| 18″ | 1 | 6″ | 2 |
| 23 3/4″ | 1 | 1/4″ | 2 |
How many parts fit on one sheet?
Calculated with the optimizer for a single sheet, 1/8″ kerf and straight through-cuts. "Grain locked" keeps the part length along the sheet length; "rotation allowed" applies to MDF, melamine and hidden parts.
| Part | Size | Grain locked | Rotation allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet side | 34 1/2″ × 23 1/4″ | 1 | 1 |
| Wall cabinet side | 30″ × 11 1/4″ | 2 | 2 |
| Bookcase shelf | 34 1/2″ × 11 1/4″ | 2 | 2 |
| Cabinet door | 30″ × 15″ | 1 | 1 |
| Drawer side | 22″ × 6″ | 6 | 7 |
| 24 × 24 panel | 24″ × 24″ | 1 | 1 |
| 12 × 12 square | 12″ × 12″ | 3 | 3 |
Typical uses
- Birdhouses, boxes and small shelves
- Drawer bottoms and backs
- Jigs and templates
- Signs and craft projects
Not sure how many sheets to buy? Get a quick estimate with the plywood calculator, then confirm it above. Read plywood sizes and thicknesses for the real dimensions of each panel.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a 2x4 sheet?
24 × 48 inches (610 × 1219 mm), an area of 8 sq ft (0.74 m²).
How many 12″ strips can I rip from a 2x4 sheet?
1 full-length strips with a 1/8″ kerf. The last strip needs no cut, and the leftover is 12″.
How many base cabinet side fit on one 2x4 sheet?
1 with the grain locked, or 1 if the parts may rotate (34 1/2″ × 23 1/4″ parts, 1/8″ kerf, straight through-cuts).
Which way does the grain run on a 2x4 sheet?
On veneered plywood the face grain normally runs along the 48″ length.