A cut list is a table of the parts needed for a project, including each part’s dimensions, quantity and material. A cutting layout shows where those parts fit on your stock. You need both to plan a build confidently.
What belongs on a cut list?
Give every part a name you will recognize at the bench: “left side,” “adjustable shelf” or “top rail.” Record length, width, thickness, quantity and material. Add grain direction and edge-banding notes when they matter. Keep parts made from different materials or thicknesses in separate groups.
For solid wood, distinguish rough stock sizes from finished dimensions. A rough board needs allowance for flattening, jointing and planing. For sheet goods, check the actual panel thickness before calculating joints and assembled sizes.
A small example: one open cabinet
Imagine an open cabinet with two sides, a top, a bottom and one shelf. The list needs five parts, even if several share dimensions. A quantity of two is easier to check than two nearly identical rows. Label a fixed shelf separately from an adjustable one if its joinery or clearances differ.
Do not copy the outside cabinet width directly into every horizontal part. If a top fits between two sides, its length depends on the side thickness and joint design. Finalize that geometry before optimizing the sheet.
Why write it before buying material?
A complete list reveals repeated sizes, missing parts and incompatible stock before they become shop-floor problems. It also lets you compare layouts before buying sheets. A simple area total cannot tell you whether long parts fit, whether the grain stays aligned, or how much material the saw removes.
The list becomes a checking tool during assembly, too. Mark each finished part with its name and keep offcuts separate from parts that still need a cut.
From design to a cutting plan
- Resolve the assembly dimensions and joints.
- List every finished part, with quantities and material.
- Measure available stock and note unusable edges or defects.
- Add blade kerf and grain restrictions.
- Generate a layout, check it, then select a safe cutting sequence.
CutList Pro handles the layout step once you enter your parts and stock. A carefully prepared list is still the foundation. Start with our cut-list template if you need a repeatable format.
Check measurements, material thickness, kerf and grain direction before using a plan. Choose a safe cutting sequence for your tools and material; a diagram is not a substitute for workshop training.