Enter sheet stock, kerf and finished cut sizes
The editable example starts with a 48 × 96 inch sheet, 1/2 inch trim from every edge, 1/8 inch kerf, and two 20 × 30 inch panels. It places both panels on one sheet: 1,200 square inches of parts divided by 4,608 square inches of stock gives 26.04% gross utilization. These are arithmetic examples, not recommended allowances.
Use the measured width of the material removed by your saw as kerf. Enter finished rectangular cut dimensions rather than adding kerf to each part. Joinery, edge banding, final trimming and floating-panel gaps must already be reflected in the cut sizes you choose.
Usable width = stock width − 2 × edge trim
Usable length = stock length − 2 × edge trim
Gross utilization (%) = 100 × Σ(placed width × placed length) / (used sheets × stock width × stock length)Keep grain direction and rotation explicit
The displayed sheet length is the chosen face-grain axis. A grain-locked part keeps its entered length along that axis. A part can turn 90 degrees only when global rotation is enabled and its own grain lock is cleared. Width and length are not silently swapped.
APA describes plywood as cross-laminated wood veneer. This calculator uses your visible-grain and orientation constraints for a cutting plan; it does not select a structural strength axis, panel grade, span rating or installation direction. Use the actual panel specification for those requirements.
Read unplaced parts before buying sheets
The planner assumes additional identical sheets are available as needed. A part too large for the trimmed sheet in every permitted orientation is listed as unplaced with its quantity and reason. Other valid parts can still be planned. Invalid dimensions or quantities block results until corrected.
Four deterministic guillotine attempts use two sort orders and two split policies. The selected attempt has the lowest sheet count among those four attempts. This is a heuristic, not proof of a globally optimal layout, zero waste, a shop-tested cutting sequence or a CNC toolpath.
Gross utilization uses full stock area. Usable utilization uses the area remaining after edge trim. The remainder includes kerf, edge trim and offcuts; it is not all reusable scrap. Downloaded SVGs are schematic and require their written dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the plywood sheet size?
Yes. Enter measured sheet width and length in inches or millimeters. The default 48 × 96 inch sheet is only an editable example. Edge trim must leave positive usable dimensions.
Does the cut list include saw kerf?
Yes. The entered kerf is reserved between the rectangles produced by each guillotine split. Measure your own saw cut and enter the finished part sizes; do not add kerf to every part dimension.
Why are some parts unplaced?
An unplaced part cannot fit the trimmed sheet in any permitted orientation. Its label, quantity and reason remain visible. Check dimensions, trim, grain lock and rotation permission.
Is this the minimum possible sheet count?
It is the lowest count found among four deterministic heuristic attempts. The calculator does not prove global optimality or guarantee zero waste.
Can I import my Shaker door panels?
Yes. Use Import current door or Import saved door batch to copy center-panel dimensions from this browser. Import replaces the current part rows and starts with grain locked. Review all imported dimensions before cutting.
Sources and scope
- APA — Plywood: cross-laminated veneer and panel selection
Supports the description of plywood construction and the need to select actual panel specifications. It does not validate this heuristic or prescribe a universal kerf, trim or grain-lock setting.
Worked examples are calculations under the stated assumptions. They are not physical test results or manufacturer approval of a finished assembly.