Kerf is the width of material removed by the saw blade during a cut. Ignoring kerf leads to parts being too short.

What is the difference between 'Least Waste' and 'Fewest Sticks'?

'Least Waste' tries to use every inch of material, even if it means cutting into a new stick for a small piece. 'Fewest Sticks' tries to fit everything onto the minimum number of raw bars, which is often better for purchasing.

Cut‑List Optimizer (Kerf‑Aware)

Paste your cuts, choose stock length and kerf, then get an optimized layout with minimal waste. Export a cut ticket and share the plan with a link.

All calculations run in your browser. No uploads. No tracking.

Stock & Saw

Units Stock length

Kerf per cut Trim allowance per end

Optimization

Mode Max sticks (optional)

Cut list

Enter lengths one per line. Optional quantity using "x" or comma. Examples: "48 x 3", "36,2", or just "24".

Quick add length Qty

Enter your cuts and select Optimize.

Method & assumptions

Heuristics: First-Fit Decreasing and Best-Fit variants, plus a small swap pass.
Kerf is applied per cut. The final cut on each stick does not need a trailing kerf; the algorithm accounts for this.
Trim is subtracted at both ends of each stock before packing.
Mode “Least waste” prioritizes total leftover reduction. Mode “Fewest sticks” may use fewer sticks at the cost of more leftover per stick.

About this free cut-list optimizer

This tool plans kerf-aware cuts on standard stock lengths, minimizing waste and producing a printable shop ticket. It’s useful for wood, PVC, metal, pipe, and more. You can export a CSV, save/share via URL, and everything runs locally in your browser.

Algorithm Explanation & Kerf Loss

This calculator uses a combination of First Fit Decreasing (FFD) and Best Fit (BF) heuristics to pack your cuts into the available stock. It then runs a "swap pass" to see if exchanging pieces between sticks can further reduce waste.

Kerf is the material removed by the saw blade itself (typically 1/8" or 0.125"). If you ignore kerf, your final pieces will be short. This tool subtracts kerf for every cut between pieces. The final piece on a stick does not require a trailing kerf.

Trim Allowance is useful if your stock comes with rough factory ends that need to be squared off. The tool subtracts the trim amount from both ends of every raw stick before calculating capacity.

Common questions

How should I choose kerf and trim?

Kerf is the width your blade removes on each cut. Trim allows you to square the ends or remove factory damage. If you do not need end trimming, set trim to 0.

Does this support metal, pipe, and rebar?

Yes. Use the length unit you prefer and set an appropriate kerf for your saw or cutoff wheel. Always verify safe cutting procedures and material allowances.

Can I limit the number of sticks?

Yes. Set “Max sticks”. The optimizer will try to stay within that cap and show if it is not possible.