How does the timber cutting calculator work?

Enter the lengths of your available boards along with the required cut lengths and quantities. The algorithm calculates an optimal cut plan – showing how to get all needed pieces from as few boards as possible.

Kerf width is the amount of wood removed by the saw blade during each cut. A typical circular saw removes 2–4 mm. Entering an accurate value is important for precise planning.

How many boards can be optimised at once?

You can add up to 20 different stock board types with unlimited quantities, and up to 30 different cut pieces. The system automatically finds the best combination.

Timber Cutting Calculator – Optimal Cut Plan for Lumber

Stock / Inventory

Available Boards

Add your available boards (max. 20)

Length (mm)	Qty (0 = unlimited)	Actions

Kerf width (mm) ?

Required Pieces

Cut List

Add required cut pieces (max. 30)

Length (mm)	Qty	Label	Actions

How to use the timber cutting optimiser?

Four simple steps to an optimal cutting plan

Enter your available boards

Add the lengths of your stock boards in millimetres and their quantities. If the quantity is 0 – the board is treated as available in unlimited supply (stock inventory).

Specify required cut pieces

Add all the pieces you need to the cut list: length in mm, quantity, and an optional label. The system will automatically optimise how they are distributed across your boards.

Set the kerf width

Enter the saw blade thickness (kerf) – the amount of wood removed by each cut. Typically 2–4 mm for circular saws.

Get your cutting plan

Click "Optimise Cutting". The tool shows how to cut each board, the offcut sizes, and overall efficiency. The plan can be printed.

Timber cutting tips

Proper planning before you start cutting saves both material and time.

Longest pieces first

Plan your cuts starting with the longest pieces – this reduces offcuts and makes it more likely that leftover sections can be reused effectively.

Minimise the number of cuts

Fewer cuts means less wasted wood. The optimiser automatically groups pieces in the most efficient way.

Keep your offcuts

Larger offcuts may come in handy for future projects. The optimiser shows the offcut size for each board – decide whether it's worth keeping.

Frequently asked questions about timber cutting

Answers to the most common questions about wood cut optimisation

How does the cut optimisation work?

The algorithm uses the First Fit Decreasing (FFD) method – pieces are sorted from largest to smallest, then each is placed into the first board it fits. This is an efficient approach that delivers results very close to the theoretical optimum.

What is kerf width?

Kerf width is the amount of wood removed by the saw blade during each cut. A standard circular saw typically removes 2–4 mm. If you are using a thin bandsaw blade, you can enter 1–2 mm. Setting this accurately matters most for longer projects.

What does a quantity of "0" mean for boards?

If you set a board quantity to 0, the system treats it as available in unlimited supply – useful when you are buying boards to order or using a standard length from stock.

Can I add boards of different lengths?

Yes! You can add up to 20 different board types with varying lengths and quantities. The system will select the optimal combination from all available boards.

How do I print the cutting plan?

After optimising, click the "Print Plan" button – it appears in the results section. A print preview will open showing the complete cutting plan and diagram, ready to print.

Is my data stored on a server?

No. The optimiser runs entirely in your browser – no data is sent to any server. All calculations are performed locally on your device.

Timber Cutting Calculator