Lumbertool Calculate board feet

Sheet cutting yield

Buy sheet stock for a batch of identical rectangular parts with an explicit kerf and grain direction.

Try the calculation

Example inputs · U.S. customary units

Ten 12 × 24 in parts from 4 × 8 ft sheets. Confirm usable sheet dimensions, grain direction and allowed rotation. The example is a uniform grid, not mixed nesting.

Example: 48 in. Measure the sheet and subtract edge trimming before entry.

Example: 96 in.

Example: 12 in.

Example: 24 in.

Example: 0.125 in.

Example: 10 pieces.

Results

Ready to calculate

Enter your values, then choose Calculate. Your results will appear here.

How to use sheet cutting yield

What this calculation does

A uniform sheet-cutting grid estimates repeated rectangular parts per sheet while preserving the selected orientation and kerf.

Measure usable sheet dimensions after edge trimming, enter part dimensions and kerf, set rotation permission, and enter quantity.

Enter the measurements

  1. Grain / part rotation: Allow rotation only when grain and face requirements permit it.
  2. Usable sheet width: Enter usable sheet width after edge trim.
  3. Usable sheet length: Enter usable sheet length after edge trim.
  4. Part width: Enter part width in the chosen orientation.
  5. Part length: Enter part length in the same orientation.
  6. Kerf between parts: Enter the cut kerf between neighboring parts.
  7. Required parts: Enter the number of identical parts needed.

Formula and variables

Parts in one grid = floor((sheet width + kerf) ÷ (part width + kerf)) × floor((sheet length + kerf) ÷ (part length + kerf)). If permitted, compare the uniform 90° orientation. Sheets = ceil(required parts ÷ parts per sheet).

The grid count uses floor((sheet+kerf)÷(part+kerf)) along both axes. Whole sheets round up from required parts divided by grid yield.

Read the result

The locked 48×96 in sheet grid holds nine 12×24 in parts; ten parts therefore require two sheets.

Worked example

Inputs: 48 × 96 in usable sheet, 12 × 24 in parts, 0.125 in kerf, ten parts, orientation locked

  1. Across = floor((48+0.125)÷(12+0.125)) = 3; along = floor((96+0.125)÷(24+0.125)) = 3.
  2. Parts per sheet = 3×3 = 9; sheets = ceil(10÷9) = 2.

Expected result: 9 parts per sheet and 2 sheets

Frequently asked questions

Is this a mixed-size nesting optimizer?

No. It finds a uniform grid for one repeated part size and orientation.

May I rotate every part?

Only select rotation if grain and face requirements allow that orientation.

Conditions, presets and technical notes

One repeated rectangular part size, uniform orientation per sheet and kerf only between adjacent parts. This is a feasible grid, not a mixed-rectangle nesting optimum. Rotation requires the grain or face pattern to permit it. Usable sheet dimensions must already exclude edge trim.