1. Fix the finished dimensions
Decide the piece’s overall width, height, and depth first, then draw or model it so every part has a size. A cut list is only as good as the drawing behind it: if a part isn’t in the drawing, it won’t be on the list.
2. List every part
Write one line per unique part: name, quantity, material, thickness, width, and length. Give each part a clear name (“front apron”, “side rail”) so you can mark it on the wood. Count carefully: four legs, two long aprons, two short aprons.
3. Use actual lumber sizes
A 1x4 is ¾″ × 3½″ and a 2x4 is 1½″ × 3½″. If your design assumes nominal sizes, parts that sit between other parts will come out wrong. Base every dimension on the real stock, and see our lumber sizes chart for the conversions.
4. Add joinery and trimming allowances
If a joint extends into a neighboring part, such as a tenon or a dado, add that length to the part. For parts you plan to fit to the assembly, such as drawer fronts or edging, note “cut oversize” and the extra you’ll leave. Simple butt joints with screws need no allowance.
5. Group parts by stock
Sort the list by lumber size and thickness. Cutting every part from the same stock in one session, longest parts first, keeps matching parts identical and lets the offcuts from long boards cover the short parts.
6. Turn it into a shopping list
Fit the cuts onto standard board lengths (8, 10, 12, or 16 feet), leaving about ⅛″ for each saw cut and a little to square the board ends. Our free cut list calculator does this layout for you and shows how to cut each board.
7. Check it before cutting
Compare the list against the drawing one more time, measure your real boards, and label each part as you cut it. Our cut list checklist covers what to check.
Cut list template
Copy these columns into a notebook or spreadsheet, or print this page. One line per unique part:
| Part | Qty | Material | T × W | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Example: a raised garden bed
Here is the cut list from our free 3 × 6-foot raised garden bed plan:
| Part | Qty | Material | T × W | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End wall plank | 6 | 2x6 | 1½″ × 5½″ | 29″ |
| Side wall plank | 6 | 2x6 | 1½″ × 5½″ | 65″ |
| Corner post | 4 | 4x4 | 3½″ × 3½″ | 16½″ |
| End top cap | 2 | 2x4 | 1½″ × 3½″ | 36″ |
| Side top cap | 2 | 2x4 | 1½″ × 3½″ | 65″ |
Grouped by stock, the 2x6 parts (six 65″ and six 29″) fit on six 8-foot 2x6s, one long and one short part per board. The shopping list is six 2x6s, three 2x4s, and one 4x4, all 8 feet long.
Questions
What is a cut list in woodworking?
A cut list is a table of every part in a project with its quantity, material, and finished thickness, width, and length. You cut from it, and it is the starting point for the shopping list.
What is the difference between a cut list and a materials list?
A cut list describes the parts you will cut. A materials or shopping list describes what you buy: how many boards of each size and length, plus hardware and finish.
Should a cut list include the saw kerf?
No. Part sizes on a cut list are finished sizes. Account for kerf, about 1/8 inch per cut, when you lay the parts out on boards for the shopping list.
How do I make a cut list in SketchUp?
SketchUp has no built-in cut list. Woodworkers usually model each part as its own component and use a free extension such as OpenCutList to generate the list.
In TimberLab, the cut list comes straight from the 3D model, so it changes when the design changes. Ask for “6 inches wider” and every affected part updates. See how it works.