Board Layout Calculator — Optimise Sheet Cutting

Plan your cuts carefully by laying out all parts on the sheet first. Cut the largest pieces first, then use offcuts for smaller parts. Allow for the saw kerf (typically 3mm) between each cut. This calculator helps determine the optimal number of parts per sheet.

The standard UK plywood sheet is 2440 x 1220mm (8 x 4 feet). You can also buy 2440 x 610mm half sheets, 3050 x 1525mm (10 x 5) for larger projects, and metric 2500 x 1250mm sheets. Most timber merchants will cut sheets to size for a small fee.

With careful planning, aim for less than 15-20% waste. Simple rectangular parts can achieve less than 10% waste. Complex or mixed-size parts may produce 25-30% waste. Keeping offcuts for small parts and jigs helps reduce overall waste.

Yes, always add the saw kerf width (typically 3mm for a standard circular saw blade, 2mm for a fine blade) to each part dimension when planning layouts. Forgetting kerf can result in parts that are too small after cutting.