Why include saw kerf?
Every cut removes material equal to the blade kerf, so ignoring it can make a cut plan physically impossible.
MAXScanner calculator
Lumber Cut Calculator — Pieces, Kerf & Board Length
Estimate how many equal-length pieces fit in stock boards while accounting for saw kerf, then calculate stock-board count and offcut.
Result
5 piece(s) per board
4 stock board(s) for 20 pieces
5.5 in offcut per full stock board.
Formula and worked example
Used length for n pieces = n × piece length + (n − 1) × kerf; pieces per board is the largest n that fits stock length.
From a 96 in board, 18 in pieces with a 0.125 in kerf fit five times with remaining offcut.
Assumptions
- This owner solves one-dimensional equal-length crosscuts, not two-dimensional sheet nesting.
- Defects, end trimming, grain matching and minimum reusable offcut are outside the base arithmetic.
Last updated: 2026-09-16
Frequently asked questions
Is this a plywood optimizer?
No. Plywood and panel nesting are two-dimensional optimization problems; this calculator is for linear stock.