Kerf
Saw loss is visible between cuts.
The amber kerf lines show the material removed by the blade, so the plan does not pretend every offcut is usable.
Waste-aware 1D cut optimizer
Stop wasting stockbefore the saw starts.
For shops cutting bars, pipe, tube, conduit, rebar, extrusion, and lumber. Account for kerf and defects, then see parts, reusable drops, and scrap before anything gets cut.
Try it in your browser. No account needed to plan your first linear cut list.
Live waste-control demo
Cut once. Save the drop. Use it next time.
Run 01 · mixed stock
Kerf + defects accounted
Lumber12 ft board
knot skippedSteel bar20 ft bar
drop savedExtrusion24 ft length
next runNo login requiredScrap and drops separatedDefects cut around
Material visibility
See where every inch of stock goes.
Scroll through the plan details and the result bar highlights what matters before anything reaches the saw.
Result bar walkthrough
Parts, straight kerf, angled kerf, blocked defects, reusable drops, and scrap.
KerfAngled kerfDefectsDropsScrapReuse
Angled kerf
Miter cuts use the same saw-loss language.
A 45-degree face shows as an amber angled kerf, so it reads like a saw cut while still showing the extra occupied length.
Defects
Bad zones are planned around.
Knots, dents, trim, and other blocked areas stay visible in the bar instead of disappearing into one waste number.
Drops
Reusable stock is separated from scrap.
Green drops are material worth keeping, with enough length to become inventory instead of being swept into the waste pile.
Scrap
True waste is called out separately.
Hatched scrap is too short, blocked, or consumed by setup. It stays visually different from reusable material.
Reuse
The next run can start from a saved drop.
When leftover stock is long enough, the plan treats it as inventory for the next job instead of using new stock by default.
Real optimizer output
Same cut list. Less material wasted.
The same parts shown with the same result bars customers see after solving: list-order cutting versus NestSolver nesting. Fewer stock pieces used, higher yield, and fewer offcuts headed to scrap.
Stock pieces
6→4
Yield
66%→99%
Cost
$132→$88
Cut in list orderList-order baseline
Stock used
6 pieces
Yield
66%
Material
$132.00
Optimized for yieldNestSolver nested
Stock used
4 pieces
Yield
99%
Material
$88.00
Waste controls
Waste controls built into the cut plan
The plan does more than fit lengths. It shows straight kerf, angled kerf, bad zones, reusable drops, and final scrap before anyone cuts material.
Cut-plan preview
One bar, every waste decision visible.
Frame stock8 ft board
angled kerfKerf counted45 deg kerfDrop savedScrap separated
Kerf accounted
Every saw pass removes material, so amber kerf bands are part of the plan instead of an afterthought.
Angled kerf cuts
Mitered faces use the same amber saw-path language as kerf, while still showing occupied length.
Defect-aware stock
Mark knots, cracks, bad welds, or edge trims. The solver routes around unusable spans before they ruin a part.
Drops vs scrap
Reusable drops and true scrap are separated visually, so keepers do not get treated like waste.
Reusable remnants
Save usable drops as future stock, track remnants, and choose priced material rows when the job needs cost control.
Shop-ready outputs
Print, share, export, packets, and labels keep the low-waste plan usable at the saw.
Why NestSolver
Where basic cut calculators lose material control.
Most tools focus on fitting lengths. NestSolver keeps the shop-floor details visible before cutting: straight kerf, angled kerf, defects, reusable drops, scrap, and remnant workflows.
Typical toolLength-only planning
NestSolver
Straight and angled kerf stay visible
Saw loss and angled cuts are part of the layout.
Typical toolClean-stock assumptions
NestSolver
Defects and trim zones are planned around
Knots, damage, bad welds, and edge trims stay on the bar.
Typical toolSingle leftover total
NestSolver
Drops are separated from scrap
Keepable material is not buried inside one waste number.
Typical toolNo remnant memory
NestSolver
Saved drops become future stock
Repeat work can start from usable leftover material.
Typical toolExport afterthoughts
NestSolver
Shop-floor outputs stay tied to the plan
CSV, image, print, share links, packets, and labels preserve the low-waste layout.
Switching tools? See the full CutList Optimizer alternative comparison.
Waste less by material
Waste-aware cut optimizers tuned for the stock lengths, kerf, defects, and reusable drops each material actually has.
Metal
Steel and aluminum bar, angle, channel, and flat stock.
Pipe
Round and rectangular tube in standard stick lengths.
Rebar
Bar schedule cuts from 20, 40, or 60 ft stock.
Aluminum extrusion
T-slot, frame, and custom profile cuts.
Lumber
Dimensional and rough-sawn boards, knots cut around.
Conduit
EMT, rigid, and PVC in 10 ft sticks.