Plywood cut list that keeps the grain running the right way
Doors, drawer fronts and visible sides look wrong if the grain runs the wrong way. Lock those parts so they never turn, let hidden parts rotate to fill the gaps, and Board Beaver lays out the sheet with the least waste.
No signup. Kerf 1/8 in · stock 96×48 in preset — change anything you like.
Example plywood grain direction cut list
Real layout from the sample job below — 1 sheet(s), 16% waste. Your own job is solved the same way.
| Part | Size (in) | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Door | 23 × 30 | 2 |
| Side | 34 1/2 × 23 1/4 | 2 |
| Shelf | 23 × 11 | 2 |
| Back | 23 × 17 | 1 |
Plywood Grain Direction Cut List FAQ
Which way does the grain run on the sheet?
On plywood the face grain runs along the long side. Here the sheet’s long side is its Width, so enter each locked part with the length that should follow the grain as its Width.
How do I lock a part’s grain?
Untick Rotatable on that part’s row. Parts left ticked can be turned 90° to fit, which is fine for backs, bottoms and anything painted or hidden.
Does locking grain waste more plywood?
Sometimes a little — locked parts can’t turn to fill a gap. Lock only the parts people will see and the difference is usually small.