How to Use Cutting CALC

Cutting CALC is a cutting optimization calculator. When you need to cut one stock bar into many required lengths, it helps decide which pieces should go into each stock bar to reduce waste. It is useful for pipe, square tube, wood, aluminum profile, round bar, and other length-based cutting work.

Back to calculator

Quick Start

1. Enter stock settingsEnter the stock length, end trim allowance, and blade kerf.

2. Enter required piecesUse a format like 2000-4, 1200-4 for length and quantity.

3. Run optimizationCheck required stock quantity, cut order for each stock, and remaining waste.

Cutting plan diagram — This diagram shows how pieces are placed inside one long stock bar, with kerf between pieces and waste at the end.

Basic Concepts

stockThe full length of one raw material bar. For a 6.5 m bar, enter 6500.

marginUnused trim length at both ends. The usable length is stock - 2 x margin.

kerfThe blade thickness consumed during cutting. It is applied only between adjacent pieces. Three pieces create two kerf gaps.

wasteThe remaining length after pieces and kerf are subtracted from one stock bar. Smaller waste usually means better material usage.

Piece Input

The most common format is length-quantity. Separate multiple items with commas or line breaks.

Comma-separated input

2000-4, 1200-4, 1000-2

Line-by-line input

2000-4
1200-4
1000-2

If quantity is omitted, it is treated as 1.

450
800-2

This means one 450 mm piece and two 800 mm pieces.

Using Excel or CSV

When pasting from Excel, use length, quantity, and label columns. The label is optional.

1200    3    A-Section
800     2    B-Section

When uploading a CSV file, the first row should look like this.

SIZE,COUNT,LABEL
1200,3,A-Section
800,2,B-Section

When a CSV file is uploaded, the CSV takes priority over the text input box.

When should I use offcut carryover?

Offcut carryover adjusts the arrangement to avoid awkward leftover lengths. For example, if 200-450 mm leftovers are hard to reuse in your shop, enter that range so the calculator tries to avoid it.

ON: ON: rearranges pieces to avoid the selected leftover range.
OFF: OFF: focuses on filling stock efficiently without the carryover rule.

Turning this on may slightly increase total waste, but it can reduce short offcuts that are difficult to use on site.

Reading the Results

Item	Meaning
Board quantity	The number of stock bars required.
Piece quantity	The total number of placed cut pieces.
Used length	The actual used length, including piece lengths and kerf.
waste	Length remaining after cutting.
Yield	Used length divided by total usable length. Higher yield means less material waste.

Example

Assume the following conditions.

stock: 6500
margin: 15
kerf: 3
Required pieces: 2000-4, 1200-4, 1000-2

The usable length is 6500 - 2 x 15 = 6470 mm. The calculator places pieces and kerf within 6470 mm, then shows the cut list and remaining waste for each stock bar.

Before Cutting

Check that the real stock length matches the input.
Check that kerf matches your saw blade or cutting machine.
Use margin if both ends must be trimmed.
Print the result or export CSV to use it as a shop-floor work sheet.

More Guides

CSV and Spreadsheet InputHeaders, labels, and common CSV errors. Understanding KerfHow blade loss is counted. Offcut Carry RangeHow to avoid awkward leftovers. Practical ExamplesCommon input patterns. FAQQuick answers before cutting.