Free forever · no sign-up

Free Cut List Optimizer for Plywood, MDF and Sheet Materials

Material Optimiser Pro turns your stock sheets and parts list into an optimized cutting layout in seconds. Less waste, fewer sheets, lower cost — with kerf-aware guillotine and nesting algorithms, PDF cut reports and DXF export for CNC.

2440 mm1220 mm800×600800×600800×600800×300800×300300×600300×600400×400400×400Parts — 9 pieces on one sheetWaste — 13% (naive stacking: 56%)

Same parts list — two ways to cut it

Stacking parts in rows by hand56% waste — 2 sheets
Optimized with Material Optimiser Pro13% waste — 1 sheet

Real output from the built-in optimizer: 9 parts (3× 800×600, 2× 800×300, 2× 400×400, 2× 300×600) on one 2440×1220 mm sheet.

Why this tool
How it works

Everything you need to cut smarter

Built for makers who would rather spend money on material than lose it to bad layouts.

Guillotine & nesting algorithms

Choose between fast guillotine cuts (free) and MaxRects nesting (Pro) to squeeze the most parts out of every sheet. Both engines are kerf-aware, so blade width never surprises you.

PDF cut reports & labels

Export a print-ready PDF cut report with dimensioned diagrams, part labels, quantities and grain direction arrows. Stick it on the sheet and cut with confidence.

DXF export for CNC

Generate clean DXF files that load straight into Fusion 360, VCarve, LightBurn or any CNC laser, router or knife cutter. One click, no manual redraw.

Stock, offcuts & inventory

Save your stock sheets and reusable offcuts to a material library. The optimizer uses leftovers first, so you buy less plywood, MDF, OSB and laminate over time.

Cost & labor calculation

Enter material price per sheet and your labor fee to see the true cost of every project before you make the first cut.

Edge banding aware

Set edge banding thickness and the layout automatically accounts for the extra material, keeping your dimensions honest.

How the sheet layout calculator works

1. Enter your stock

Add the sheets you have: width, height, quantity, price — in mm, cm or inches. Set your blade kerf and edge trim once; the calculator remembers the units you work in.

2. List the parts you need

Type in the panels to cut: dimensions, quantities, labels and grain direction. Ten parts on the free plan, unlimited on Pro.

3. Cut from the diagram

The cut list optimizer computes the layout in seconds. View it on screen, print the PDF report, or download the DXF for your CNC.

Who it is for

  • ✓Cabinet makers fitting kitchen carcase panels onto full sheets
  • ✓Woodworkers planning plywood cutting layouts for furniture builds
  • ✓CNC and laser owners who need clean DXF files from a cut list
  • ✓Sign makers, shopfitters and DIYers who want less waste and cheaper material bills

Simple pricing

Free

$0

  • 3 projects, up to 10 parts each
  • Guillotine optimization engine
  • On-screen cutting diagram
  • No signup required to start

Pro

$5/month

  • Unlimited projects and parts
  • MaxRects nesting engine
  • PDF cut reports with labels
  • DXF export for CNC

Frequently asked questions

Is Material Optimiser Pro free?+

Yes. The core cut list calculator is free and needs no signup: 3 projects with up to 10 parts each, guillotine optimization and the on-screen cutting diagram. The Pro subscription (USD 5/month) unlocks unlimited projects and parts, MaxRects nesting, PDF cut reports and DXF export for CNC.

What materials does the cut list calculator support?+

Any rectangular sheet or panel material: plywood, MDF, OSB, chipboard, melamine, laminate, acrylic, glass, foam board, leather or fabric. Enter your own sheet sizes, so both standard 2440x1220 mm plywood and custom stock work.

What is kerf and why does it matter?+

Kerf is the width of material the blade removes while cutting, typically 3 mm for a circular saw. The optimizer subtracts kerf between every part, so the pieces you cut actually match the dimensions you entered.

Can I export the cutting layout for my CNC machine?+

Yes. Pro users can download the optimized layout as a DXF file that imports into Fusion 360, VCarve, LightBurn and most CNC software. A print-ready PDF report with labels is also included.

Do my projects work on my phone?+

Yes. The tool is a web app that runs in any modern browser on desktop, tablet and phone, and projects saved to your account follow you across devices.

Ready to waste less material?

Scroll up, enter your sheets and parts, and get your optimized cutting layout in seconds — free.

Open the cut list optimizer

New to cut lists? Read the cut list & woodworking guides.