What is a woodworking cut list?

A woodworking cut list is a detailed list of the parts required for a project, including their dimensions, quantities, and materials. It helps you determine what needs to be cut before construction begins.

What is a woodworking cut list optimizer?

A woodworking cut list optimizer automatically arranges parts on available sheet materials or stock lengths to reduce waste and determine how much material is required.

Can Cutlistor optimize both plywood and lumber?

Yes. Cutlistor provides both sheet optimization for materials such as plywood and MDF and linear optimization for lumber, trim, moulding, and other stock sold by length.

Can I import an Excel woodworking cut list?

Yes. Cutlistor supports CSV and Excel imports, allowing you to bring an existing BOM or cut list into the optimizer.

Can I create a woodworking cut list from SketchUp?

Yes. You can export your SketchUp model and import it into Cutlistor to generate a cut list and optimize the resulting parts.

Can I create a cut list from a PDF?

Yes. Cutlistor supports AI-assisted extraction from PDFs and images. Dimensions should always be reviewed before cutting.

Does Cutlistor account for saw kerf?

Yes. Kerf can be included in the optimization so the cutting layout accounts for material removed by the blade or cutting tool.

Is there a free woodworking cut list optimizer?

Yes. Cutlistor provides free sheet and linear cut list optimization tools that you can use directly in your browser without creating an account.

Woodworking Cut List Optimizer

Create Better Cut Lists. Waste Less Wood.

Plan cuts for plywood, MDF, melamine, hardwood, lumber, trim, and other woodworking materials. Cutlistor combines sheet optimization and linear cut optimization in one browser-based tool, helping woodworkers calculate material requirements, reduce waste, and create cutting plans before they make the first cut.

Free sheet and linear cut list optimizers — no signup required.

Woodworking cut list with optimized plywood sheet layouts — Plan cabinet and furniture panels on the sheet sizes you purchase.

Why Woodworkers Use Cutlistor

Woodworking projects often involve more than one type of material. A cabinet might require plywood panels, hardwood face frames, drawer parts, and trim — all of which need to be planned differently.

Cutlistor lets you optimize both sheet goods and linear stock in one workflow.

Sheet and linear cut list optimization
Plywood, MDF, melamine, and other sheet goods
Lumber, trim, moulding, and stick stock
Kerf-aware cutting layouts
Grain direction control
CSV and Excel cut list import
PDF cutting diagrams
DXF export for CNC workflows
3D model import
AI-assisted PDF and image import
Works directly in your browser

Free Woodworking Cut List Optimizers

Free Sheet Cut List Optimizer

Optimize plywood, MDF, melamine, and other sheet materials to reduce waste and determine how many sheets you need.

Open Free Sheet Optimizer

Free Linear Cut List Optimizer

Optimize lumber, hardwood, trim, moulding, and other stock sold by length.

Open Free Linear Optimizer

How to Create a Woodworking Cut List

1
Enter Your Materials and Parts
Enter the sheet sizes, board lengths, or stock you actually purchase. Then add each part's dimensions, quantity, and material.
For example:
- Cabinet sides
- Shelves
- Doors
- Drawer parts
- Face frames
- Tabletop components
- Trim
2
Optimize Your Cuts
Cutlistor calculates how your parts can be arranged on your available stock while accounting for kerf, grain direction, material type, and stock dimensions.
For sheet materials, Cutlistor uses 2D nesting.
For lumber and other linear materials, it uses 1D cutting optimization.
3
Export Your Cutting Plan
Once your layout is optimized, export a clear PDF cutting plan for the workshop or DXF files for CNC workflows.
No manual spreadsheet calculations or drawing layouts by hand.

Reduce Woodworking Material Waste

Material waste is one of the easiest costs for a woodworking business to overlook.

A poorly planned sheet can leave behind large unusable offcuts. A poorly planned bundle of lumber can result in several extra boards being purchased.

This matters even more when working with:

Baltic birch plywood
Hardwood plywood
Veneered panels
Solid hardwood
Premium lumber
Expensive sheet materials

A good cut list tells you what you need to cut.

A good cut list optimizer tells you how to cut it with less waste.

That's the difference between simply making a cut list and actually optimizing your material.

Sheet Cutting Optimization for Woodworkers

Optimize panels for:

Plywood
MDF
Melamine
Particle board
OSB
Hardwood panels
Veneered plywood
Baltic birch plywood

Choose your actual sheet dimensions and optimize your parts around the material you purchase.

Grain Direction

For directional materials, control grain direction so cabinet doors, drawer fronts, tabletops, and other visible parts are oriented correctly.

Material Yield

See how efficiently each sheet is being used and identify layouts that reduce unnecessary waste.

Lumber & Linear Cut Optimization

Not everything in a woodworking shop comes from a sheet. Use linear optimization for:

Hardwood
Dimensional lumber
S4S lumber
Trim
Moulding
Face-frame stock
Dowels
Long boards

Enter your available stock lengths and let Cutlistor determine an efficient cutting sequence while accounting for kerf.

Woodworking Cut List From Excel or CSV

Already have your BOM or cut list in a spreadsheet?

Import your existing CSV or Excel file instead of entering every part manually.

This is especially useful for professional woodworking shops that already generate cut lists through CAD, estimating, or cabinet design software.

Excel cut list import guide

Create Cut Lists From 3D Models

You don't always have to start with a spreadsheet.

Cutlistor supports 3D model imports from formats such as:

GLB
glTF
Collada (.DAE)

This allows workflows from applications such as SketchUp, Fusion, and Blender.

Learn how to create a cut list from SketchUp Learn how to create a cut list from Rhino

Generate Cut Lists From PDFs & Images

Have a drawing instead of a structured cut list?

Cutlistor can use AI-assisted scanning to extract part information from:

PDF drawings
Cabinet elevations
Furniture plans
Dimensioned drawings
Screenshots
Sketches

You can then review the extracted dimensions before generating your cutting plan.

Upload a drawing and create your cut list

Woodworking Cut List Examples

Cabinet Cut Lists

Plan cabinet sides, shelves, doors, drawer components, and other parts from plywood or sheet goods.

Furniture Cut Lists

Optimize tables, desks, bookshelves, benches, and other furniture projects.

Custom Furniture

Combine sheet materials with hardwood or other linear stock in the same workflow.

Production Woodworking

Batch multiple identical projects and optimize the complete quantity instead of planning each piece individually.

Woodworking Cut List Features

Sheet Nesting: Arrange cabinet and furniture panels on the sheet sizes you actually buy.
Linear Optimization: Optimize lumber, trim, moulding, and other stock sold by length.
Kerf Calculation: Account for material removed by the saw blade or cutting tool.
Grain Direction: Control grain orientation for plywood, veneer, hardwood, and directional materials.
Material Grouping: Keep MDF, plywood, melamine, and different wood species separated so your material requirements remain accurate.
Real-Time Optimization: Change a dimension or quantity and immediately see how the cutting layout changes.
PDF Cut Plans: Create easy-to-follow cutting diagrams for your workshop.
DXF Export: Export optimized layouts for CNC routers and other compatible CAM workflows.

Woodworking Cut List Calculators

Browse all woodworking cut list calculators

Woodworking Cut List Guides

Woodworking Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a woodworking cut list?: A woodworking cut list is a detailed list of the parts required for a project, including their dimensions, quantities, and materials. It helps you determine what needs to be cut before construction begins.
What is a woodworking cut list optimizer?: A woodworking cut list optimizer automatically arranges parts on available sheet materials or stock lengths to reduce waste and determine how much material is required.
Can Cutlistor optimize both plywood and lumber?: Yes. Cutlistor provides both sheet optimization for materials such as plywood and MDF and linear optimization for lumber, trim, moulding, and other stock sold by length.
Can I import an Excel woodworking cut list?: Yes. Cutlistor supports CSV and Excel imports, allowing you to bring an existing BOM or cut list into the optimizer.
Can I create a woodworking cut list from SketchUp?: Yes. You can export your SketchUp model and import it into Cutlistor to generate a cut list and optimize the resulting parts.
Can I create a cut list from a PDF?: Yes. Cutlistor supports AI-assisted extraction from PDFs and images. Dimensions should always be reviewed before cutting.
Does Cutlistor account for saw kerf?: Yes. Kerf can be included in the optimization so the cutting layout accounts for material removed by the blade or cutting tool.
Is there a free woodworking cut list optimizer?: Yes. Cutlistor provides free sheet and linear cut list optimization tools that you can use directly in your browser without creating an account.

Start Planning Your Next Woodworking Project

Create your cut list, optimize your materials, and cut with confidence.

Whether you're building a single bookshelf or producing cabinets for customers, Cutlistor helps you plan your materials before you make the first cut.

Optimize Sheet Materials Optimize Lumber