WoodMeasureFree tools. Better builds.
Home   /   Calculators   /   Plywood Cut Optimizer
Cutting & layout

Plywood Cut Optimizer

Get your panels out of the sheet—with the grain running the right way.

FREE · NO SIGN-UP

1 Sheet & material

2 Parts to cut

Turn off rotation to keep each part’s length along the sheet’s grain.

Runs in your browser. No account needed.

Sheets needed
—
Material used
—
Offcuts + kerf
—

Your cutting layout

Dimensions shown in millimeters

Cut dimensions include blade spacing.
A better place for every piece.

We compare 15 cutting arrangements and keep the best layout found. Offcuts include blade loss; minimum waste is not guaranteed.

Plan by thickness and face direction

Keep each sheet material and thickness in a separate plan. An 18 mm cabinet side and a 6 mm back do not share physical stock. Veneered faces also need a consistent grain convention.

Rotation starts off in this tool. A part’s entered length follows the sheet length. Check the grain on the real panel first. Allow rotation only when every part in this run can turn without changing its intended appearance.

From parts to a cutting diagram

  1. Choose a sheet preset or enter measured stock dimensions.
  2. Add finished panel dimensions and quantities, including any deliberate oversize allowance.
  3. Set kerf and the trim removed from each outer edge.
  4. Inspect each sheet and check that every required panel fits before printing.

Account for real sheet dimensions

Metric 2440 × 1220 mm and exact 4 × 8 ft stock are separate presets. Actual panel thickness also matters for cabinet joinery, even though it does not change the two-dimensional layout.

A 5 mm trim from each edge reduces usable length and width by 10 mm. Trim differs from kerf: squaring a damaged edge and separating panels are different operations.

Utilization = total finished panel area ÷ all opened sheet area × 100%

A partially used final sheet can lower the utilization number. The leftover area may be useful later. When sheet count ties, the solver favors a larger rectangular offcut. It does not predict your next project or prove a globally optimal arrangement.

Read the plywood cut-list guide. If only area is known, start with the sheet quantity calculator and refine the plan when part dimensions are ready.

Frequently asked questions

Why is rotation off?

Plywood face grain often matters. With rotation off, each part’s length stays along the sheet length.

Can I mix thicknesses?

No. One run assumes identical stock with one material and thickness. Make separate plans for different stock.

Can it nest irregular shapes?

No. All parts are rectangles. Holes, curved edges, and CNC toolpaths are outside this model.

Does it guarantee minimum waste?

No. It uses the same fifteen-layout guillotine heuristic as the general sheet optimizer.