Linear Cutting Calculator
Work out the most efficient way to cut a list of lengths from your stock. Enter the lengths you have, the parts you need, and your saw's kerf — the calculator nests them onto as few stock pieces as possible and shows the waste on each one. Free to use, no sign-up.
Your cut plan will appear here.
Fill in stock and parts, then press Plan my cuts.
How the linear cutting calculator works
Enter your stock
Add each length of raw material you have — a mill length, a stick, a board. Mixed lengths and limited quantities are fine; leave quantity blank for unlimited.
List your cuts
Type or paste the parts you need to cut, each with a length and quantity. Label them if you want the names to carry through to the plan.
Read the layout
The calculator places every cut, subtracts the kerf between them, and reports the drop and scrap per stock piece so you can see exactly where the waste goes.
Linear cutting calculator — common questions
What is linear cutting, and how is it different from panel cutting?+
Linear (1D) cutting is cutting lengths from longer stock — bars, pipe, extrusion, lumber. Panel (2D) cutting is laying parts out on sheets like plywood, where width matters too. This calculator does 1D linear cutting; for sheet goods you'd want a panel optimizer.
How does kerf width affect the optimization?+
Kerf is the material your blade turns to dust on every cut. The calculator subtracts it between each part, so a stock piece holds slightly fewer parts than the raw arithmetic suggests. Entering an accurate kerf is what makes the plan match reality.
What is a minimum remnant, or minimum drop?+
It's the shortest leftover you'd bother keeping. Set it per stock piece and the calculator counts anything longer as a usable drop and anything shorter as scrap — so the waste figure reflects what you'd actually throw away.
Can I use stock pieces of different lengths?+
Yes. Add a row for each length you have on hand, each with its own quantity, and the calculator chooses the best piece for every cut — including any usable drops left from earlier jobs.
Is there a limit on how many cuts I can optimize?+
No daily cap and no sign-up to use it. Paste a cut list with hundreds of parts and it solves in seconds.