WoodTools

Wood Cutting Calculator

Plan every cut before you touch a saw. Enter the pieces of your project, pick a panel size and material, and get an instant cut list with surface, volume, waste and estimated cost.

A saw blade cutting through a wooden plank with measurement marks for length and width. 360 × 60 60 100 80 80 100
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Workshop AI assistant

Describe the piece you want to build and get a complete plan: dimensions, cut list, materials, cost, steps, tools and time.

Workshop assistant

Describe the piece you want to build and get a complete plan: dimensions, cut list, materials, cost, steps, tools and time.

AI-generated results are indicative. Verify dimensions, loads and local codes before building.

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How it works

  1. 1

    Add every part of your project: length, width, thickness and quantity.

  2. 2

    Choose a material — densities and prices are editable, not universal values.

  3. 3

    Set the available panel size and the blade kerf of your saw.

  4. 4

    Click Calculate to get the cut list summary, totals and waste estimate.

Formula

Piece area = length × width. Total area = Σ (piece area × quantity). Total volume = Σ (length × width × thickness × quantity). Panels needed = ceil(total area / (panel length × panel width) × (1 + waste margin)). Waste % = (1 − used area / purchased area) × 100.
A board cut into three pieces with length and width callouts. length width piece A piece B piece C A length B length C length

Practical tips

  • Always add a waste margin: 5–10% for simple parts, 15% or more for angled or curved work.

  • Account for the blade kerf in every calculation — a 3 mm kerf on 20 cuts wastes 60 mm of material.

  • Batch identical parts: cutting the same size reduces setup time and errors.

  • Prefer panel sizes you can actually buy in your region to avoid expensive special orders.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the kerf adds up quickly across many cuts.

  • Mixing units inside one project (cm and inches together) produces wrong totals.

  • Ignoring grain direction and the printed face of veneered panels.

  • Ordering exactly the computed amount with zero safety margin.

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Disclaimer

These results are indicative only. Always verify against local building codes, standards and professional advice before building.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a cut list in woodworking?
A cut list is the complete table of every part you need to cut, with its dimensions and quantity. It is the first step before cutting any panel or board.
How much waste should I plan for?
A 5–10% margin is standard for straight rectangular parts. Allow 15% or more for curved, angled or highly grained work.
Does the calculator work with inches and feet?
Yes. You can switch between mm, cm, m, inches and feet at any time. All values are converted internally to millimetres so totals stay consistent.
Can I use this for a kitchen cabinet project?
Absolutely. List the carcase panels, doors and shelves, then combine with the furniture plan generator and panel cutting optimizer.
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