Saw Kerf Calculator
Every cut removes a strip of wood the width of the blade. Across a full sheet of plywood you can lose an inch or more — enough to ruin a tight cabinet layout if you didn't plan for it.
Total material lost to kerf
1.250 in
(31.8 mm)
Typical kerf widths
- Standard 10 in table saw blade — 0.125 in (1/8")
- Thin-kerf 10 in blade — 0.094 in (3/32")
- Track saw / circular saw — 0.083–0.098 in
- Miter saw — 0.100–0.125 in
- Band saw — 0.025–0.035 in
- Japanese pull saw — 0.012–0.020 in
Why kerf matters for cut lists
If you're ripping a 48-inch sheet into four equal strips, four cuts × 1/8 in kerf = 1/2 inch gone. Four "12-inch" strips actually come out to 11.875, 11.750, 11.625, and 11.500 if you don't compensate. The full cut list calculator reserves the kerf on every cut for you.
How to reduce kerf loss
- Use a thin-kerf blade for sheet goods
- Rough-cut with a track saw and finish on the table saw
- Plan the biggest parts first — small offcuts absorb kerf better
- Use a zero-clearance insert to prevent tearout that wastes even more
Skip the math — try the free calculator
WoodCraft Utility Engine builds a live cut list from your real measured wood thickness, kerf, and cabinet dimensions. Imperial or metric, fractions or decimals.
Launch the cut list calculator →