Cutting list optimiser — stock lengths, waste and cutting patterns

Enter the lengths you need to cut and how many of each. We work out how many stock lengths to buy, which sizes waste least — including a mix of sizes — and draw the cutting pattern for every length so you can check it on site.

List the lengths you need to cut — one per line, with x for how many. We work out how many lengths to buy, which stock sizes waste least, and the cutting pattern for each one.

Blade allowance22 cuts

Least waste — buy this

5 × 5.4m

5 lengths · 27.00m bought · 25.05m used · 1.95m offcut (7%)

Cutting pattern (Mixed lengths)

Length 1 · 5.4moffcut 0.39m
3.40

wall plate 3.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m

Length 2 · 5.4moffcut 0.39m
3.40

wall plate 3.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m

Length 3 · 5.4moffcut 0.39m
2.10
2.10

joists 2.10m + joists 2.10m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m

Length 4 · 5.4moffcut 0.39m
2.10
2.10

joists 2.10m + joists 2.10m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m

Length 5 · 5.4moffcut 0.39m
2.10
2.10

joists 2.10m + joists 2.10m + noggins 0.40m + noggins 0.40m

Compare every stock length
  • Mixed lengths5 lengths · 1.95m waste (7%)
  • 5.4m lengths5 lengths · 1.95m waste (7%)
  • 4.8m lengths6 lengths · 3.75m waste (13%)
  • 3.6m lengths8 lengths · 3.76m waste (13%)
  • 4.2m lengths8 lengths · 8.56m waste (25%)

Cutting patterns assume square cuts from straight stock and the blade allowance you picked. Any price you type in is your own figure — check the lengths your merchant actually stocks before ordering.

How it works

  1. 1List your cuts — one per line, in metres or millimetres, with x for the quantity (for example 2.1 x 6).
  2. 2Set the blade allowance. A typical circular saw blade takes about 3mm per cut.
  3. 3Compare the stock lengths. Every standard size is listed with its waste, plus a mixed-length option that often wastes least of all.
  4. 4Check the cutting pattern. Each length is drawn out cut by cut with its offcut, and you can copy the whole sheet to your phone or the van.
  5. 5Take the winning quantity into the price comparison to see which merchant is cheapest for that length.

Now find the cheapest place to buy

Take your quantities across to Price Planter and compare them across UK builders' merchants — including whether splitting the order across two merchants works out cheaper.

Compare material prices

Cutting plans assume square, straight cuts from standard stock lengths and are a guide only — check lengths available at your merchant before ordering.

All Price Planter calculators