Plywood Cut Calculator (Sheet Goods Layout Optimizer)

Enter your sheet size and the panels you need and this sheet goods optimizer packs them onto as few sheets as it can, allowing for the kerf between parts and a trim off the factory edges. The drawing shows each sheet with its parts, so you can rip the strips first and crosscut them after. Grain direction is kept unless you say parts can be rotated. For solid lumber and other stock cut only to length, use the cut list optimizer.

Plywood cut layout calculator

How it works

The parts are sorted by width, widest first, and packed into horizontal strips (shelves) across the sheet: each part goes into the strip where it fits best, a new strip starts when none has room, and a new sheet starts when the strips no longer fit the sheet width. Every part uses its length plus the kerf along the strip and its width plus the kerf across the sheet.

Usable sheet = (length − 2 × trim) × (width − 2 × trim)
Waste = 1 − total part area ÷ total sheet area
With rotation allowed, each part is turned so its longer side runs along the sheet before packing, which makes shorter strips

Strip packing is guillotine-friendly: every cut runs straight across a strip or the sheet, which is what a table saw or track saw can do. It sometimes uses a little more material than a nested layout would, but every cut is one you can make.

Worked example

A small bookcase from 3/4 in plywood: two 30 × 18 in sides, a 30 × 24 in top, three 28-1/2 × 17-1/4 in shelves and bottom, and a 29-1/4 × 28-1/2 in back, grain kept along the sheet, 1/8 in kerf, 1/4 in trimmed from each edge:

Units: Inches and feet
Sheet length: 96 in
Sheet width: 48 in
Parts to cut: 2 x 30 x 18 sides; 1 x 30 x 24 top; 2 x 28-1/2 x 17-1/4 shelves; 1 x 28-1/2 x 17-1/4 bottom; 1 x 29-1/4 x 28-1/2 back
Rotate parts to fit: No: keep length along the sheet (grain matters)
Saw kerf: 0.125 in
Trim off each sheet edge: 0.25 in

The calculator gives:

Sheets needed: 2 sheets of 96" x 48"
Waste: 55.4% of the sheet area
Parts area: 28.5 sq ft in 7 pieces
Sheet area: 64 sq ft
Sheet 1: 29-1/4 x 28-1/2 back, 30 x 24 top, 30 x 18 sides, 30 x 18 sides, 28-1/2 x 17-1/4 shelves, 28-1/2 x 17-1/4 shelves
Sheet 2: 28-1/2 x 17-1/4 bottom

Two sheets: the widest parts (the back and the top) start the first strips, the sides and two shelves fill the rest of the first sheet, and the second sheet carries only the bottom panel. Just over half the plywood ends up as offcuts, which is typical for a one-off cabinet; a second identical bookcase would use most of that waste.

Notes and limits

Measure parts at final size. Edge banding adds nothing to the cut size; a face frame does not either.
The packing keeps the first dimension along the sheet’s long edge. For veneered plywood that is the grain; enter parts as length (with the grain) × width.
Allowing rotation often saves a sheet on MDF or paint-grade work.
Kerf on a track saw is about 1/8 in; some thin-kerf blades are 3/32 in. Set 0 only for a CNC with the kerf compensated.
A 4 × 8 sheet is 48 × 96 in nominal. Some imported sheets are 1220 × 2440 mm, a hair over 48 × 96; MDF and melamine often come 49 × 97.

Frequently asked questions

How many cabinet parts fit on a sheet of plywood?

It depends on their sizes and whether the grain can be turned. Enter the list and the calculator draws the answer; as a rough guide, a base cabinet with two sides, a bottom, a stretcher and a back takes about two-thirds of a sheet.

What is the best way to lay out plywood cuts?

Rip the sheet into strips as wide as your widest parts, then crosscut the strips to length. This calculator packs parts in exactly that way, so the drawing is also the cutting order.

Should I cut 4×8 sheets lengthwise or crosswise first?

Lengthwise rips into strips are easier to handle and give straighter edges on a table saw. Break a full sheet down with a track saw or circular saw first if you cannot manage it on the table saw.

How much waste is normal for sheet goods?

Around 20 to 40% for a single cabinet, less when several cabinets share sheets. The calculator shows the exact figure for your list.

Does grain direction matter for plywood?

For visible veneered faces, yes: the grain should run the same way on matching parts, usually vertically on cabinet sides and doors. Keep rotation off for those parts.

Sources

Last reviewed: 26 September 2026. The calculation is covered by automated tests with known answers taken from the sources above. Found an error? Please let us know.