Guide · 4 min read
Cut list optimiser: free online (UK spelling)
Whether you search for cut list optimiser, cutlist optimiser, or cutting list optimiser, the workflow is the same: enter stock and parts, apply kerf, review nested layouts, export PDF cut plans. Cutlistor is a browser-based tool with no download for Windows or Mac. UK and European shops often work in millimetres on metric sheet sizes such as 2440×1220 mm or 3050×1220 mm, while still buying timber in mixed imperial lengths. Cutlistor accepts metric and imperial in the same job as long as you stay consistent. This page uses UK spelling, but the product is the same international web app linked from the US cut list optimizer guide.
Sheet cutting optimiser vs linear optimiser
Panel jobs (plywood, MDF, melamine, OSB) belong in the sheet cut list optimiser. Each part is a rectangle with length, width, quantity, and optional grain rules.
Timber, skirting, architrave, copper tube, and steel bar belong in the linear cut list optimiser. Each part is a single cut length along a stick.
Casework frequently needs both. Nest carcass panels on sheets, then optimise plinth cleats or softwood stiffeners on linear stock in a second pass.
Metric sheet sizes common in UK shops
Enter the exact panel size your merchant delivers, not a generic label. Many UK yards stock 2440×1220 mm hardwood ply, 3050×1220 mm melamine, or 2800×2070 mm boards depending on supplier.
Kerf on sliding table saws is often 3.2 to 4.0 mm for scoring plus main blade setups. Enter what you measure on offcuts, not a textbook default.
When comparing yield between suppliers, rerun the nest with each sheet size. A few millimetres difference in usable width can change sheet count on large flat-pack runs.
| Panel type | Example stock size | Typical thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Birch ply | 2440 × 1220 mm | 18 mm |
| White melamine | 2750 × 1830 mm | 18 mm |
| MDF | 2440 × 1220 mm | 18 mm |
| OSB sheathing | 2440 × 1220 mm | 11 mm or 15 mm |
| Moisture-resistant MDF | 3050 × 1220 mm | 18 mm |
Always confirm against your delivery note before cutting.
Worked example: wardrobe side panels in mm
Suppose two wardrobe sides at 2400×600 mm, four shelves at 900×550 mm, and one top at 1000×600 mm, all from 18 mm birch ply 2440×1220 mm, kerf 3.2 mm.
Open the free sheet cut list optimiser, enter stock 2440×1220 mm, add each part in millimetres, set qty, enable grain on visible sides if needed, and choose Fewest sheets / least waste to minimise board count.
If the optimiser reports two sheets at 74% yield, try Rips & rows to see if the diagram rips faster on your panel saw even if yield drops a point or two.
Linear optimiser for timber and mouldings
Skirting packs might need forty lengths at 2400 mm plus eight at 1200 mm from 3600 mm primed MDF lengths. Enter 3600 mm as stock, parts in millimetres, kerf 2.5 mm for a fine-tooth chop saw.
The linear optimiser sequences cuts so short lengths consume offcuts from long pieces before you open another stick.
Import rows from linear-cutlist-sample.csv if you already maintain cutting lists in Excel. Material codes keep primed MDF separate from softwood carcassing.
Kerf, yield, and PDF export
Cutting list optimisation without kerf looks optimistic. Set kerf before trusting sheet count or stick count.
Yield updates live as you edit parts. Use it to compare layout methods or stock sizes, not as a league table against other industries.
Export PDF cut plans when satisfied. Diagrams include labels your fitters recognise. Free sessions allow up to 50 part rows with daily calculation limits; accounts unlock saved projects and inventory.
US spelling, same product
If you searched cut list optimizer (US spelling), you are in the right product. The feature set is identical: browser tools, CSV/XLSX import, four sheet layout methods, linear nesting, PDF export, optional AI and CAD on paid plans.
See the cut list optimizer guide for additional comparisons with Excel and desktop software.
No installer is required on office PCs or site tablets. Updates apply automatically when Cutlistor ships improvements server-side.
FAQ
- Is cut list optimiser the same as cut list optimizer?
- Yes. Spelling differs by region. Cutlistor supports both audiences with the same web tools.
- Is the optimiser free?
- Yes for browser trials. Free tier has daily calculation limits and up to 50 part rows per session. Paid plans add saved projects and higher import quotas.
- Can I optimise plywood and MDF?
- Yes in the sheet optimiser. Enter actual board sizes, set kerf, pick a layout method, export PDF diagrams.
- Do I need a UK-specific download?
- No download exists. Open the site in your browser on any operating system.
- Can I work in feet and inches?
- Yes. Imperial and metric units work. Keep one system per job so kerf and stock lengths stay consistent.