Board calculator for cupboards
Enter your cupboard panels and see right away how many boards you need. For the exact cutting list, with a drawing of every board and the cutting order, open the same panels in Verneer.
Board
Sizes in millimetres.
Panels
How the calculator works
It adds up the area of every panel, plus the saw kerf on each one, because that is what every cut takes away.
It divides by the usable area of the board, after trimming the factory edges. That is the theoretical minimum: the number of boards if nothing were left over.
In practice something is always left: large panels leave gaps the others cannot fill, and woodgrain panels cannot be turned. So we show a realistic estimate: from the theoretical minimum to an 80% yield.
The exact number only comes from an optimised cutting list. Verneer tries thousands of layouts and shows a drawing of every board, the measured offcuts and the cutting order for the panel saw.
Common board sizes in South Africa
- Melamine and Supawood (MDF): 2750 × 1830 mm
- Chipboard: 2750 × 1830 mm and 2440 × 1220 mm
- Hardboard backs: 2440 × 1220 mm, 3 mm
- Saw kerf: 3 to 4.4 mm. Edge trim: 5 to 10 mm per side.
Questions about how many boards you need
How many boards do I need for kitchen cupboards?
It depends on the size and the number of units. A 3 to 4 metre kitchen with base and wall units usually takes 5 to 9 boards of 16 mm melamine, plus the backs. Enter your panels in this calculator to get your own number.
Does the calculator include the saw kerf?
Yes. Each panel gets the kerf added to its length and width, which is what every cut removes. The factory edge trim is taken off the board too.
Why is the estimate higher than the minimum?
Because no board is used at 100%. Large panels leave gaps that others cannot fill, and woodgrain panels cannot be turned. An optimised cutting list gets as close to the minimum as possible.
How do I get the exact number of boards?
With an optimised cutting list. In Verneer the same panels become a drawing of every board, with measured offcuts and the cutting order, in a few seconds — ready to send to your cut and edge supplier.
Is the calculator free?
Yes, it is free and needs no sign-up. Verneer also has a Free plan and a 30-day free Pro trial.
Want the exact cutting list?
Verneer shows a drawing of every board, the measured offcuts and the cutting order. Start free.
Start your 30-day free trial