Cabinet cut list calculator: plan a base cabinet in minutes
A base cabinet is seven to nine flat panels. Once you have the dimensions, the whole job is turning those panels into a cut list that fits your plywood without waste. Here are the parts, the standard sizes, and the fastest way to get the layout.
What a base cabinet is made of
Almost every base cabinet is the same parts list:
- Two sides. The full-height verticals that carry the load.
- One bottom. Sits between the sides.
- Two top rails (or a full top). Front and back straps that hold the case square and give the countertop something to screw into.
- One back. Keeps the cabinet from racking. Screw it to the sides.
- Shelves. Usually one adjustable shelf.
- One or two doors. Sized to the opening with a small gap.
Standard base cabinet dimensions
Kitchen base cabinets follow rough standards you can build to:
| Dimension | Typical |
|---|---|
| Carcass height | 720mm |
| Plinth (toe kick) | ~100mm (820mm finished) |
| Depth | 560 to 580mm |
| Width | 300 to 900mm, in 100mm steps |
Set those, subtract two panel thicknesses where parts sit between the sides, and you have every part size.
Turn it into a cut list
- List every panel with width, height, and quantity.
- Subtract the kerf. Each cut removes 3 to 4mm. Panels that sit between the sides lose two side thicknesses off their width.
- Pack the panels onto sheets. A base cabinet this size fits on a single 1220 by 2440mm sheet with room to spare, if the layout is tight.
The fast path: start from the cabinet template in CraftCut, set width, height, and depth, and it builds all the panels and packs them onto plywood with the kerf handled. You get a cutting diagram and a printable cut list. Free, no signup. New to the parts? See how to design a bookshelf for the same idea on a simpler piece.
Do not forget edge banding and doors
Exposed plywood edges on a cabinet usually get edge banding or a solid lip. That does not change the cut list much, but plan door sizes with a 2 to 3mm gap around each door so they open cleanly. If you are running several cabinets, batch all their panels into one optimization so the offcuts from one fill the small parts of another. That is where the plywood waste savings really add up.
Get your cabinet cut list free
Set the size, and CraftCut packs the panels onto plywood and gives you the cutting diagram.
Plan a cabinet free No account. No download. Free forever tier.FAQ
What are standard base cabinet dimensions?
A standard base cabinet carcass is about 720mm tall, 560 to 580mm deep, sitting on a plinth of roughly 100mm for a finished height near 820mm. Widths run from 300mm to 900mm in 100mm steps.
What parts make up a base cabinet?
A basic base cabinet is two sides, a bottom, two top rails (or a full top), a back panel, one or more shelves, and one or two doors. That is usually seven to nine panels.
How do I get a cut list for a cabinet?
Enter the cabinet size in CraftCut or start from the cabinet template. It builds the panels and packs them onto plywood sheets with the saw kerf handled, then gives you a cutting diagram. Free, no signup.
