Grain-shaped waste
Two 600 × 900 doors with grain fixed leave a long leftover. Area maths still counts that leftover as “available”; you may not have a part that fits it.
Calculator
Plywood waste calculator
Waste percent is 100 minus theoretical yield. Grain lock usually increases real waste.
Parts
- Waste (area)
- 57.3%
- Part area
- 1.27 m²
- Sheet area used
- 2.98 m²
This is area division only — a theoretical minimum. Kerf, grain, rotation and leftover rectangles usually need more sheets. Calculate the actual layout in the planner.
Why the real count is higher
Kerf removes a strip on every cut. Parts may not rotate. Leftover rectangles can be too small to use. Area division is a theoretical minimum, not a cutting plan.
Worked example
Two 600 × 900 doors and four 600 × 80 rails on one 2440 × 1220. Waste looks modest on paper; the nest shows a tall unused band.
Questions
Can I reuse offcuts?
Sometimes. Leftover rectangles show on the plan so you can judge that yourself.