Linear Cut Optimizer

Fit your board cuts into stock lengths with less waste.

Project Details
Enter your measurements and requirements
$
Results
Calculated estimates for your project
Boards to buy6
Cuts placed18
Waste3.0%
Material cost$72

Turn these numbers into a build plan.

  • 6 boards
  • 18 cuts
  • 3% waste
Materials List
Recommended materials and quantities
12 ft boards6 boards
Board 1 (144" in): Top rail 92-5/8", Stud 48". Offcut 3-1/8" in.
Board 2 (144" in): Top rail 92-5/8", Stud 48". Offcut 3-1/8" in.
Board 3 (144" in): Top rail 92-5/8", Stud 48". Offcut 3-1/8" in.
Board 4 (144" in): Top rail 92-5/8", Stud 48". Offcut 3-1/8" in.
Board 5 (144" in): Stud 48", Stud 48", Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2". Offcut 2-1/2" in.
Board 6 (144" in): Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2", Blocking 22-1/2". Offcut 8-1/4" in.

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Project plan · built from your numbers

Cut 18 pieces from 6 boards

Cut 18 pieces from 6 stock boards with a 1/8" in kerf and 3% waste.

Materials
$72
Time
1 day
Level
Easy
10 steps 4 tools 2 materials
  1. 1

    Sort and sight the boards

    Set aside any board with a crown, twist or split near a cut line.

    • Boards sorted
    • Bad sections marked
  2. 2

    Square one end

    Trim one end of each board square before measuring from it.

  3. 3

    Cut board 1 of 6

    From the 12 ft board: Top rail 92-5/8" in, Stud 48" in. Measure each cut from the fresh end, allowing for the blade.

    • Top rail, 92-5/8" in
    • Stud, 48" in
01 · Your numbers
Boards
6
Cuts
18
Waste
3%
Est. cost
$72
02 · The plan

10 steps · 4 tools · 2 materials

7 more steps, the full tool list and a shopping list you can check off as you go.

03 · Finished

Your plan is 60% built. Save it.

3/5

Cut 18 pieces from 6 boards

Finished in 1 day · $72 DIY

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How to use a linear cut list

List every piece with its length and quantity, then enter the board lengths your yard sells. The optimizer places the longest pieces first and picks the shortest board that holds each group. For panels, use the plywood cut calculator.

Linear cut questions

How much should I allow for the saw blade?

Most full-kerf blades remove 1/8 in per cut, and thin-kerf blades about 3/32 in. The optimizer adds that between cuts, but not after a cut that runs to the end of the board.

Is this layout always the fewest boards?

It uses a best-fit method that is usually at or very near the minimum. On a tight list it can occasionally land one board over, so buy from the list and treat a spare as cheap insurance.

Should I buy one spare board?

On most jobs, yes. A knot, a split or one bad cut can use up the slack in a tight layout.

What about plywood and other sheets?

Sheets need a two-direction layout. Use the plywood sheet cut calculator for those.

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