Cut list software comparison
CutList vs Excel for Woodworking
Plenty of woodworkers run their cut lists in Excel because it is already on the computer and easy to bend to any list. CutList is a purpose-built app for the same job. The honest comparison is not "which is better software" but "which is better at the cutting plan", and there Excel and a dedicated cut list app pull in different directions.
Quick answer
Use CutList when you want a real cutting plan: it lays parts on the sheet, applies kerf, shows sheet count, and exports a PDF. Keep Excel for pricing, board-foot totals, and estimating formulas. Most pros use Excel to cost the job and CutList to cut it.
Comparison table
| Factor | CutList | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Visual sheet layout | Built in | None without manual drawing |
| Kerf handling | Automatic per cut | Manual formulas |
| Sheet count | Calculated from the layout | Estimated from area only |
| Cost & pricing | Basic | Excellent, flexible |
| Revisions | Re-run instantly | Re-plan layout by hand |
| Output | PDF cut sheet | Printed rows |
| Offline on phone | Yes | Yes, with the app |
Where CutList wins
CutList wins everywhere the job is spatial. It arranges parts on the sheet, applies kerf to every cut, and tells you the real sheet count, then saves the project and exports a PDF for the shop. Excel can total area, but area alone never proves the rectangles fit. For the concept behind the layout, read what is cut list optimization.
Where Excel still wins
Excel is the better estimating tool. Pricing per board foot, markup, labor, and totals across many projects are exactly what a spreadsheet is for, and you can shape the formulas however your shop works. The mistake is asking Excel to also prove the cut layout; that is the app's job.
Use them together
Cost the project in Excel, then move the part list into CutList to lay out the sheets and lock the cut plan. You keep your pricing spreadsheet and gain an accurate, kerf-aware layout. To go deeper on the software side, see cut list software.
Try the CutList app
CutList gives you the visual sheet layout, kerf, sheet count, saved projects, and PDF export that a spreadsheet cannot, fully offline on iPhone.
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FAQ
Is CutList better than Excel for woodworking?
For planning the cutting layout, yes. CutList shows how parts fit on a sheet, applies kerf, and saves the project. Excel is better at cost and quantity formulas but cannot arrange parts on a sheet or prove they fit.
Why do woodworkers use Excel for cut lists?
It is familiar and flexible for listing parts, totaling board feet, and pricing. The limitation is that a spreadsheet shows numbers, not the physical sheet layout.
Can CutList replace my spreadsheet?
It can replace the layout part and is far better at it. Many woodworkers keep Excel for pricing and use CutList for the sheet plan, kerf, and PDF cut sheet.
Does CutList work offline?
Yes. It is designed for offline use on iPhone with projects stored locally and no account required for the core workflow.
Which is faster for a real cutting plan?
CutList, because it lays parts out automatically with kerf, while building and maintaining an equivalent layout in Excel by hand is slow and hard to revise.
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See also cut list app vs spreadsheet, plywood calculator vs cut list calculator, and the best way to create a wood cut list.