What Is a Cut List?
A cut list is a structured list of every part a project requires, with each part’s dimensions, quantity, and material. It is the bridge between a design and the cutting process: before you can optimize a layout or start cutting, you need to know exactly what parts to produce. Cabinet makers, fabricators, and DIY builders all rely on cut lists to stay organized and avoid mistakes.
What a cut list contains
- Part name or label: a clear identifier such as "side panel" or "shelf".
- Dimensions: length and width (and sometimes thickness) for each part.
- Quantity: how many of that part are needed.
- Material: the sheet or stock type, such as 18 mm plywood or 6 mm glass.
- Optional notes: grain direction, edge banding, or rotation rules.
Why a cut list matters
A cut list turns a fuzzy idea into a precise production plan. It lets you total up material needs, quote a job accurately, and feed an optimizer that arranges parts onto stock with minimal waste. Without a cut list, cutting becomes guesswork and offcuts pile up.
From cut list to cutting plan
A cut list answers the question "what parts do I need?". A cutting plan answers "how do I cut them from my stock?". Optimization software takes your cut list, applies kerf and grain rules, and produces an efficient layout showing exactly where each part comes from.
Building a cut list in CutList Machine
You can type parts directly, paste them from a spreadsheet, or import an Excel file. CutList Machine then optimizes the layout, accounts for blade kerf, and generates cutting diagrams you can print or send to a CNC.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cut list and a cutting diagram?
A cut list is the list of parts to produce; a cutting diagram is the visual layout showing how those parts are arranged on each sheet of stock.
Do I need a cut list for a small project?
Even small projects benefit from a cut list. It prevents measuring errors and helps you buy the right amount of material.
Put this into practice
Plan tighter layouts and cut less waste with the free CutList Machine optimizer.
Launch the optimizerRelated articles
What Is Stock Cutting?
A plain-English introduction to stock cutting, the cutting stock problem, and how optimization saves material and money.
FundamentalsHow to Read a Cutting Diagram
Turn an optimizer’s cutting diagram into accurate cuts at the saw with this quick guide.
WorkflowHow to Import Cut Lists from Excel
Format your spreadsheet correctly and load hundreds of parts into the optimizer in seconds.