Packing rectangular parts on sheet stock with kerf and optional grain rules.

Does Cutlistor rotate parts?

Yes where grain and settings allow.

Any rectangle you enter: metric, imperial, or custom remnants.

Pick layout methods that match your equipment and crew.

Yes. Browser sheet optimizer with daily free-tier limits.

Guide · 3 min read

2D nesting optimizer for sheet goods

A 2D nesting optimizer places parts on rectangular sheets. Cabinet cases, furniture panels, and architectural casework all depend on this workflow when you buy 4×8 or metric full sheets. The optimizer packs rectangles, subtracts kerf, respects grain when configured, and reports how many sheets to pull.

Open free sheet cut list optimizer Open free linear cut list optimizer

Why nesting is harder than it looks

Kerf, grain direction, edge banding, and common sheet sizes all constrain good layouts. Software keeps you from inventing a plan that cannot be cut on your table saw or CNC bridge.

Yield percentage compares finished part area to purchased panel area. Low yield often traces to locked grain, mixed thicknesses, or one oversized part forcing an extra sheet.

Sheet cut diagram nesting panels on a 2440 x 1220 mm plywood sheet with labeled dimensions — 2D nesting has to solve width and length at once — this layout keeps waste near 7%.

Layout methods for different shops

Rips and rows suits panel saw crews. Least waste pushes material savings. Router and CNC layouts help dense packs when spoilboard spacing is set.

Switch methods on the same part list to see which matches floor habits before exporting PDFs.

Grain and rotation

Premium plywood and melamine doors often cannot rotate freely. Lock grain on show faces before accepting a nest.

Interior carcass parts may rotate freely when finish and structure allow, which can recover yield.

Stock size honesty

Enter 2440×1220 mm, 96×48 in, 5×5 Baltic birch, or pre-cut remnant sizes exactly as purchased. Wrong stock dimensions invalidate sheet counts.

Worked example

A batch of bookcase sides, shelves, and backs on birch ply: list rectangles, set kerf, run nest, export PDF, adjust one shelf depth and recalculate in seconds.

Import and export

Import CSV/XLSX from /samples/cutlist-import/. Export kerf-aware PDFs and DXF for CNC/CAM handoff. Paid plans add AI plan scanning and 3D CAD import when you want to skip manual entry.

Plywood cut calculator How many sheets guide

Common 2D nesting mistakes

Fix inputs first, then compare layout methods. Yield changes are often input problems, not algorithm problems.

Entering textbook 4×8 instead of actual purchased sheet size
Setting kerf to zero on dense nests
Mixing thicknesses on one stock row
Forgetting grain locks on visible plywood faces

FAQ

What is 2D nesting?: Packing rectangular parts on sheet stock with kerf and optional grain rules.
Does Cutlistor rotate parts?: Yes where grain and settings allow.
Which sheet sizes?: Any rectangle you enter: metric, imperial, or custom remnants.
CNC and table saw?: Pick layout methods that match your equipment and crew.
Free tool?: Yes. Browser sheet optimizer with daily free-tier limits.