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Timber Cutting List Calculator & Cut Optimiser

Free version

How would you like to start?

Build and run as many cutting plans as you like for free, or unlock full access now — either way gets you straight in.

Enter the stock lengths you've got and the cuts you need — this works out the most efficient way to cut them, kerf included.

Units
mm
Stock lengths available
Cuts needed

Already bought it? Pop your license key in here

Add your stock lengths and cuts, then hit "Optimise Cutting Plan" to see your board-by-board layout here.

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About the Timber Cut Optimiser

This tool works out the most efficient way to cut a set of timber lengths from whatever stock you've got — so you buy less, waste less, and don't end up cutting a piece wrong on site. Enter your stock lengths, the cuts you need, and your blade's kerf, and it hands back a clear, board-by-board plan.

It's built for carpenters and joiners planning a cutting list before a job, small workshops quoting material costs for a customer, and DIYers working out how many lengths to buy for a stud wall, shelving run, or decking job — not a general "everything" calculator.

Common uses

How to use it

  1. Switch between metric and imperial units, then add every stock length you have (or could buy), with its price and how many you've got if that's limited.
  2. Add each cut you need — a label if it's useful, the length, and how many you need of it.
  3. Set your saw's kerf so the plan leaves room for every cut the blade actually makes.
  4. Hit Optimise to get a board-by-board layout, a waste summary, and a total material cost.
  5. Print the cut sheet for free, or unlock full access for a branded PDF quote sheet and an offline copy of the tool.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Timber Cut Optimiser free to use?

Yes. Every setting — stock lengths, kerf, cut lists, the optimiser itself, cost totals, and a free printable cut sheet — works in full for as long as you like. Unlocking full access adds a branded PDF quote sheet and a downloadable offline copy of the tool.

Does it handle sheet material like plywood?

Not yet — this first version is built specifically for linear timber lengths (studs, battens, mouldings, boards cut to length). Sheet goods need a different kind of layout and are planned as a separate tool.

What does the kerf setting actually do?

Kerf is the width of material your blade removes with every cut. The optimiser adds that allowance between every cut on a board, so the plan matches what actually comes off the saw instead of assuming a zero-width cut.

Can I use my own mix of stock lengths and prices?

Yes. Add as many stock lengths as your merchant stocks, with an optional price and quantity on hand for each. The optimiser mixes lengths to minimise waste and, where prices are entered, works out the cheapest combination and a total material cost.

Is this the same as a cut list calculator for plywood or sheet goods?

No — sheet material needs a 2D layout across the width and height of a panel, which is a different kind of problem. This tool is built specifically for linear (one-dimensional) timber lengths, like studs, battens, and boards cut to length.

Who is this tool actually for?

Carpenters and joiners planning a cutting list before a job, small workshops quoting material for a customer, and DIYers working out how many lengths to buy for a stud wall, shelving, or decking run.

Related tools

A few other Korvia256 tools workshops and makers tend to reach for alongside this one: