A cut list gives each part, how many you need, the board it comes from and its length. Group parts by board, add the saw kerf (about 1/8 in per cut) and fit the longest pieces first.
A cut list is the table that tells you every piece of wood a project needs: how many, which board, and how long. If you can read it, you can shop once, cut once and waste very little. Here is how to read one, and how to turn it into a plan for your boards.
What is in a cut list
| Column | What it tells you | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Part | The name or letter of the piece, matching the drawings | A: Shelf top |
| Qty | How many of that piece you need | 2 |
| Board | The nominal lumber size to cut it from | 1x4 |
| Length | The finished length of the piece | 36 in (914 mm) |
The board size is the nominal name you ask for at the store. Its real size is slightly smaller: a 1x4 is actually 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in. See our lumber size chart for the full list.
Step 1: group the parts by board
Pull out every piece that comes from the same kind of board. All the 1x4 pieces go in one pile, all the 2x4 pieces in another. Each pile is cut from its own boards.
Step 2: choose the board length
Boards are sold in standard lengths, usually 6, 8, 10 or 12 feet, depending on the size. An 8-foot board is the common choice for small projects. Add up the lengths in each pile to see how many boards you need. The sum is always a little more than the cut list shows, because of the next step.
Step 3: remember the saw kerf
Every cut turns a strip of wood into sawdust. A typical saw blade removes about 1/8 in (3 mm). That is the kerf. If you cut three pieces from one board, you make about three cuts, and you lose about 3/8 in in total. Add it to your math, or the last piece will come out short.
Step 4: lay the cuts out on the board
Draw each board as a long bar and fit the pieces in it, longest first. This is called a cutting diagram. Here is a worked example with one 8-foot (96 in) 1x4:
- Pieces needed: 36 in, 36 in and 18 in.
- Total of the pieces: 36 + 36 + 18 = 90 in.
- Kerf for three cuts: 3 x 1/8 = 3/8 in. Total used: 90 3/8 in.
- Left over: 96 - 90 3/8 = 5 5/8 in. The three pieces fit in one board, with a small offcut.
If the pieces added up to more than the board, you would need a second board, and then it pays to spread the pieces so that each board is used as fully as possible.
Tips to waste less and make fewer mistakes
- Cut the long pieces first, then fit the short ones into what is left.
- Mark every piece before you cut and label it with its letter, so you do not mix up near-identical parts.
- Measure from the same end every time, and cut on the waste side of your line.
- Buy one extra board if you are a beginner. A single miscut should not stop your weekend.
- Check the cut list against the real boards at the store. Lumber varies, and you can pick the straightest ones.
Let the plan do the math
Every Scribe & Square plan includes the cut list, a shopping list by board length, and a cutting diagram, so you can see exactly where each piece comes from.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cut list in woodworking?
A cut list is a table of every piece a project needs, with the quantity, the board it is cut from and its length.
What is saw kerf?
Kerf is the width of the slot a saw blade removes. A typical blade removes about 1/8 inch, so each cut uses that much wood.
What is a cutting diagram?
A drawing of each board showing where every piece is cut from, so you can buy the right number of boards and waste less.
How long are lumber boards sold?
Dimensional lumber is commonly sold in lengths of 6, 8, 10 and 12 feet, depending on the board size.
Should I buy extra lumber?
For a first project, an extra board is cheap insurance against a miscut.
See a real cut list: free plan
The free Box Ledge Shelf plan has a cut list, a shopping list by board length and a cutting diagram, so you can see how it all fits together.
Get the free plan