What Is a Cut List and How to Make One
A cut list is the list of every part you need to cut for a project, with its size, quantity, material, grain direction and edges to band. It turns a drawing into instructions for the saw, and it is the starting point for planning how many sheets to buy. In the UK it is often called a cutting list; the example tables below show the columns to use.
What a good cut list contains
| Column | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Part ID | A3 | Labels the part on the sheet and on the piece |
| Name | Shelf | So you know where it goes |
| Length × width | 562 × 520 mm | Length first, along the grain |
| Thickness / board | 18 mm white melamine | Parts are grouped by board |
| Quantity | 4 | |
| Grain | Along length | Stops the part from being rotated |
| Edges | Front edge | Tells you which edges get banding |
How to make a cut list, step by step
- Start from the outside size of the furniture: width, height and depth.
- Decide the construction. In a frameless cabinet the sides run full height and the top and bottom sit between them.
- Work out each part from the outside size and the board thickness. A 600 mm wide cabinet in 18 mm board has a bottom of 600 − 2 × 18 = 564 mm.
- Add the gaps. Doors leave about 3 mm all round; shelves are about 2 mm shorter than the opening.
- Group by material. Carcass, doors and back are often different boards.
- Mark grain and edges on every part.
- Check the totals: number of pieces and metres of edge banding.
This is exactly what our furniture plans do automatically. Choose a base cabinet, type its size, and every part above is calculated for you.
From cut list to sheet layout
A cut list does not tell you how many sheets to buy. For that you need a cutting diagram: the parts placed on sheets with the saw kerf between them. Doing it by hand takes time and usually wastes board. A cut list optimizer does it in seconds and also gives you the order of cuts.
Tips from the workshop
- Write length along the grain first, always in the same order.
- Label every part with its ID as you cut it; printed labels save mistakes during assembly.
- Cut the largest parts first, then fill the leftovers with small parts.
- Keep your offcuts and add them to your next layout before opening a new sheet.
- Recheck one part per piece of furniture against the real board thickness before cutting everything.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cut list in woodworking?
A table of every part of a project with its name, length, width, thickness, quantity, material, grain direction and edge banding.
What is the difference between a cut list and a cutting diagram?
The cut list says what to cut; the cutting diagram (sheet layout) shows where each part sits on the sheet and in which order to cut.
How do I make a cut list from a drawing?
Take each panel of the drawing, work out its size from the outside dimensions and the board thickness, and list it with its quantity, material, grain and edges.