Easy Wood Calc

How many 24 in pieces can you cut from an 8 ft board?

Short answer

You can cut 3 pieces 24 inches long from an 8 ft (96 in) board with a ⅛ inch saw kerf, not four. Four full pieces would need 96⅜ inches, so four pieces take 2 boards — or accept one piece ⅜ in short.

How to work it out

  1. How many 24 in pieces fit on one board: (96 in usable + 1/8 in kerf) ÷ (24 in + kerf) = 3.98 → 3 pieces
  2. 4 × 24 in = 8 ft of parts, packed to fill each board as full as it will go → 2 boards (50% offcut and kerf)

This catches almost everyone once. If your project can tolerate a slightly short last piece, or your “8 ft” board measures a little over 96 in (many do), you can get four — measure the board before you plan around it.

Adjust for your project

Buying rough hardwood by the board foot? Switch to the rough-stock takeoff.
Pieces
1 row
One row per length; fractions work (28 1/2). Shelves that sit between the sides: outside width − 2 × side thickness — 30 − 2 × 3/4 = 28 1/2.
in
Works out the length of shelves that fit between the sides. Copy it into the pieces above.
in
Type 8' or 96 — 8 ft = 96 in · 10 ft = 120 · 12 ft = 144.
Only labels the shopping list — the cutting math is the same for any width.
More options: Kerf · Trim · Price per board (optional)
in
The sliver of wood each cut turns to sawdust. Most saws: 1/8 in.
in
Cut off once per board if the factory ends are split or out of square.
$
What to buy2 boards, 8 ft long
Boards needed
2 boards · any size
Pieces from one board
3 pieces
Pieces placed
4 pieces
Offcut and kerf waste
50%
Total length of pieces
8 ft
Where to cut each board
BoardsCut these lengths (in)Offcut left
1 board24 + 24 + 24about 23-5/8 in
1 board24about 71-7/8 in

For this job · affiliate link
Speed square (7 in)For a handful of cuts, a speed square guides a circular saw square across the board and marks every line in one move.
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24 in pieces by board length

24 in pieces by board length
Board lengthPieces from one boardBoards needed
6 ft (72 in)2 pieces2 boards
8 ft (96 in)3 pieces2 boards
10 ft (120 in)4 pieces1 board
12 ft (144 in)5 pieces1 board
16 ft (192 in)7 pieces1 board

What to know about cutting 24 in pieces from an 8 ft board

  • The shortfall is only ⅜ in. Four pieces use the full 96 in, and three cuts at ⅛ in each need another ⅜ in. The fourth piece comes out 23⅝ in — fine for a cleat, wrong for a shelf that has to fit a 24 in opening.
  • A long board fixes it. Lumber sold as 8 ft is often cut a fraction over length. A board that measures 96½ in gives four full 24 in pieces with room to spare, so tape a few at the store and keep the long ones for this job.
  • Or shave the part. If the design allows 23⅞ in instead of 24, four pieces plus kerfs total 95⅞ in and fit on a standard 96 in board. Shelves inside a cabinet usually need a little clearance anyway.
  • Rough ends count against you. Factory ends are often split, stained or out of square. If you have to square one end first, enter it as end trim and the count drops accordingly.

Buying for several sets? Eight pieces take three boards, with a 23⅝ in offcut from each full board and 47¾ in left on the last — enough for two short parts. For framing blocks, see How many 16 in pieces from an 8 ft 2x4; for a job where the kerf does not matter because the longest parts use the whole board, see Cut list for a 4×8 raised garden bed.

Different size? Use the full Cut List Calculator.

What you’ll need

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Frequently asked questions

How many 24 in pieces from a 10 ft board?

4 pieces with a ⅛ in kerf, leaving an offcut of about 23½ in.

How many 24 in pieces from a 12 ft board?

5 pieces with a ⅛ in kerf — five pieces and four cuts use 120½ in, leaving about 23½ in.

How many 8 ft boards for eight 24 in pieces?

3 boards — three pieces from each of the first two, two from the last.

Other common sizes

Sources