How it works
Every size, worked out the same way.
You enter the outside size of a unit. CabinetOS splits it into boards with the same rules every time, so any size on your cut list can be checked by hand. Here are the rules, worked through on a wardrobe and then on every other unit the app builds.
Before and after
Pencil and paper, or the app.
| The old wayWithout CabinetOS | The app wayWith CabinetOS |
|---|---|
Hours of manual calculations | Instant parts and cut lists |
Material waste from poor nesting | Boards nested to keep waste down |
Errors in part dimensions | Every part sized by the same rules |
Handwritten cut sheets | Print-ready cut sheets |
The demo job on our home page: 85 parts on 10 boards, 9% waste and 52.25 m of edging. CabinetOS works out sizes from what you enter, using the rules below. Check the cut list against your drawing and your site measurements before you cut: what gets cut is your call.
The rules
How CabinetOS works out the sizes.
Six rules cover a wardrobe like this one. Each card shows the rule, a drawing of it and the sum for the example below.
What you enter
The outside size, the board and what goes inside. Everything else on the cut list comes from the rules.
- Width
- 900 mm
- Height
- 2100 mm
- Depth
- 600 mm
- Board
- 18 mm
- Inside
- Two doors, a shelf and a hanging rail
01The box
The top and bottom run the full width of the unit. The sides fit between them, so a side is the height less the plinth and two board thicknesses.
Side: 2100 − 100 − 18 − 18 = 1964
02The plinth
A 100 mm plinth sits under the box, as wide as the unit. The box is what's left above it.
Plinth 900 × 100. Box: 2100 − 100 = 2000
03The back
An 18 mm back fits inside the box, between the sides and between the top and bottom, so it's as high as the sides.
Back: 900 − 18 − 18 = 864 wide, 1964 high
04Shelves and the rail
Shelves are 2 mm short at each side so they drop in, and stop 2 mm back from the front. Behind them is the back. The hanging rail is as long as a shelf.
Shelf: 864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide, 600 − 18 − 2 = 580 deep. Rail: 860
05Doors
Doors cover the front of the box: 3 mm short at the top, flush at the bottom, 2 mm in at each outside edge and 4 mm apart in a pair. A door over 600 mm wide gets a warning to use two.
Each door: 2000 − 3 = 1997 high, 900 ÷ 2 − 4 = 446 wide
06Edging
Edging tape goes on the front edge of the top, bottom, sides and shelves, and on all four edges of each door. The back and the plinth get none.
16.36 m of edging tape
Not to scale: boards and gaps are drawn bigger so you can see them.
Every unit
Every unit, part by part.
What the cut list gives for each unit the app builds, and where each size comes from. The wardrobe is open; tap any other unit to see its rules and parts. Each part is drawn to the same scale; green edges get edging tape.
Wardrobe900 × 2100 × 600 · Two doors, a shelf and a hanging rail9 parts
The six rules above, worked through on the example wardrobe.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopFull width × full depth | 900 × 600 | Full width × full depth | |
| BottomSame as the top | 900 × 600 | Same as the top | |
| Side × 22100 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 1964 | 1964 × 600 | 2100 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 1964 | |
| Back900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | 864 × 1964 | 900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 900 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Shelf864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | 860 × 580 | 864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | |
| Door × 22000 box − 3 top gap = 1997 high; 900 ÷ 2 − 4 = 446 wide | 1997 × 446 | 2000 box − 3 top gap = 1997 high; 900 ÷ 2 − 4 = 446 wide | |
| Hanging railHardwareAs long as the shelf | 860 long | As long as the shelf | |
| 9 parts in 18 mm board, a hanging rail and 16.36 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
TV unit1200 × 500 × 450 · Low and wide, open front, one shelf7 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 1200 mm
- Height
- 500 mm
- Depth
- 450 mm
- Front
- Open, one shelf
The rules
- The same box as the wardrobe, just low and wide: top and bottom over the sides, the back inside, on a 100 mm plinth. The box is 500 − 100 = 400.
- Open front, so there are no doors on the cut list. Pick doors and they're worked out like the wardrobe's: here two at 397 × 596.
- The shelf is 2 mm short of each side and stops 2 mm back from the front.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopFull width × full depth | 1200 × 450 | Full width × full depth | |
| BottomSame as the top | 1200 × 450 | Same as the top | |
| Side × 2500 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 364 | 364 × 450 | 500 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 364 | |
| Back1200 − 18 − 18 sides = 1164 wide; as high as a side | 1164 × 364 | 1200 − 18 − 18 sides = 1164 wide; as high as a side | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 1200 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Shelf1164 − 2 − 2 = 1160 wide; 450 − 18 back − 2 = 430 deep | 1160 × 430 | 1164 − 2 − 2 = 1160 wide; 450 − 18 back − 2 = 430 deep | |
| 7 parts and 4.29 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Chest of drawers800 × 900 × 450 · 3 drawers on side runners24 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 800 mm
- Height
- 900 mm
- Depth
- 450 mm
- Front
- 3 drawers, side runners
The rules
- Box and plinth as the wardrobe: the box is 900 − 100 = 800.
- The drawer fronts share the box height: 3 mm under the top, 3 mm between fronts, none at the bottom. Each front runs the full width of the unit.
- A drawer box is 40 mm lower than its front, 26 mm narrower than the inside of the unit (13 mm each side for the runners) and as deep as the inside.
- The box bottom sits in a 6 mm groove all round, so it's 12 mm bigger each way than the space between the box sides.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopFull width × full depth | 800 × 450 | Full width × full depth | |
| BottomSame as the top | 800 × 450 | Same as the top | |
| Side × 2900 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 764 | 764 × 450 | 900 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 764 | |
| Back800 − 18 − 18 sides = 764 wide; as high as a side | 764 × 764 | 800 − 18 − 18 sides = 764 wide; as high as a side | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 800 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Drawer front × 3(800 − 3 top − 2 × 3 between) ÷ 3 = 263.67 high; full width 800 | 263.67 × 800 | (800 − 3 top − 2 × 3 between) ÷ 3 = 263.67 high; full width 800 | |
| Drawer box side × 6450 − 18 back = 432 long; 263.67 front − 40 = 223.67 high | 432 × 223.67 | 450 − 18 back = 432 long; 263.67 front − 40 = 223.67 high | |
| Drawer box front / back × 6800 − 18 − 18 = 764 inside − 26 runners = 738 box; − 18 − 18 = 702 | 702 × 223.67 | 800 − 18 − 18 = 764 inside − 26 runners = 738 box; − 18 − 18 = 702 | |
| Drawer box bottom × 3702 + 6 + 6 grooves = 714; 432 − 18 − 18 + 6 + 6 = 408 | 714 × 408 | 702 + 6 + 6 grooves = 714; 432 − 18 − 18 + 6 + 6 = 408 | |
| 24 parts and 9.51 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Wall unit800 × 720 × 350 · Hangs on the wall, two doors, one shelf8 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 800 mm
- Height
- 720 mm
- Depth
- 350 mm
- Inside
- Two doors, one shelf
The rules
- No plinth: it hangs on the wall, so the box is the full 720 and a side is 720 − 18 − 18.
- Two doors, because one would be over 600 mm wide: 800 ÷ 2 − 4 = 396 each.
- The rest is the wardrobe's rules: back inside, shelf 2 mm short each side, doors 3 mm short at the top.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopFull width × full depth | 800 × 350 | Full width × full depth | |
| BottomSame as the top | 800 × 350 | Same as the top | |
| Side × 2720 − 18 top − 18 bottom = 684 | 684 × 350 | 720 − 18 top − 18 bottom = 684 | |
| Back800 − 18 − 18 sides = 764 wide; as high as a side | 764 × 684 | 800 − 18 − 18 sides = 764 wide; as high as a side | |
| Shelf764 − 2 − 2 = 760 wide; 350 − 18 back − 2 = 330 deep | 760 × 330 | 764 − 2 − 2 = 760 wide; 350 − 18 back − 2 = 330 deep | |
| Door × 2720 − 3 top gap = 717 high; 800 ÷ 2 − 4 = 396 wide | 717 × 396 | 720 − 3 top gap = 717 high; 800 ÷ 2 − 4 = 396 wide | |
| 8 parts and 8.18 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Combined unit900 × 2400 × 600 · A main box with doors, an open top box above17 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 900 mm
- Height
- 2400 mm
- Depth
- 600 mm
- Main box
- 2000 mm, doors, 3 shelves
- Top box
- Open, one shelf
The rules
- Two boxes, one on the other, on a 100 mm plinth. You set the main box; the top box takes what's left: 2400 − 100 − 2000 = 300.
- Each box has its own top, bottom, sides and back, sized like the wardrobe's: a side is the box height − 18 − 18.
- The doors cover the main box: 2000 − 3 = 1997 high. The top box is open here; give it doors and they're sized to its own height the same way.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main box · TopFull width × full depth | 900 × 600 | Full width × full depth | |
| Main box · BottomSame as the top | 900 × 600 | Same as the top | |
| Main box · Side × 22000 main box − 18 top − 18 bottom = 1964 | 1964 × 600 | 2000 main box − 18 top − 18 bottom = 1964 | |
| Main box · Back900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | 864 × 1964 | 900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | |
| Main box · Shelf × 3864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | 860 × 580 | 864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 900 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Top box · TopFull width × full depth | 900 × 600 | Full width × full depth | |
| Top box · BottomSame as the top | 900 × 600 | Same as the top | |
| Top box · Side × 2300 top box − 18 top − 18 bottom = 264 | 264 × 600 | 300 top box − 18 top − 18 bottom = 264 | |
| Top box · Back900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | 864 × 264 | 900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | |
| Top box · Shelf864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | 860 × 580 | 864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | |
| Door, main box × 22000 main box − 3 top gap = 1997 high; 900 ÷ 2 − 4 = 446 wide | 1997 × 446 | 2000 main box − 3 top gap = 1997 high; 900 ÷ 2 − 4 = 446 wide | |
| 17 parts and 21.27 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Angled unit600 × 2100 × 600 · A wardrobe with a sloping top, for under a sloped ceiling10 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 600 mm
- Height
- 2100 mm (tall side)
- Depth
- 600 mm
- Low side
- 1575 mm, slope on the right
- Flat top
- 240 mm
The rules
- A wardrobe with one top corner cut off for a sloped ceiling. You enter the height at the low side (1575) and how much of the top stays flat (240).
- The slope runs 600 − 240 = 360 across and 2100 − 1575 = 525 down, so the slope panel is √(360² + 525²) = 637 long, at 55.6°.
- Where two boards meet at an angle, each end is cut at half the bend: flat top to slope (180 − 124) ÷ 2 = 28°, slope to short side (180 − 146) ÷ 2 = 17°. ✂ is the blade tilt from square; sizes are to the long point.
- The back and the door start as the wardrobe's and are cut to the slope; the cut list gives all five edges of each to mark them out.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| BottomFull width × full depth | 600 × 600 | Full width × full depth | |
| Tall side2100 − 100 plinth − 18 − 18 = 1964 | 1964 × 600 | 2100 − 100 plinth − 18 − 18 = 1964 | |
| Short side · top ✂17°1575 low side − 18 − 100 plinth = 1457 to the long point | 1457 × 600 | 1575 low side − 18 − 100 plinth = 1457 to the long point | |
| Flat top · slope end ✂28°The flat part of the top, 240 | 240 × 600 | The flat part of the top, 240 | |
| Slope panel · ✂28° and ✂17°√(360² + 525²) = 637 | 637 × 600 | √(360² + 525²) = 637 | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 600 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Back · five-sided600 − 18 − 18 = 564 by 1964, cut to the slope | 564 × 1964 | 600 − 18 − 18 = 564 by 1964, cut to the slope | |
| Shelf × 2564 − 2 − 2 = 560 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | 560 × 580 | 564 − 2 − 2 = 560 wide; 600 − 18 back − 2 = 580 deep | |
| Hanging railHardwareAs long as the shelf | 560 long | As long as the shelf | |
| Door · five-sided2000 − 3 = 1997 by 600 − 4 = 596, cut to the slope | 1997 × 596 | 2000 − 3 = 1997 by 600 − 4 = 596, cut to the slope | |
| 10 parts, a hanging rail and 12.44 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Alcove unit900 × 2400 × 380 · Floor to ceiling beside a chimney breast: cupboard below, shelves above13 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 900 mm (the alcove)
- Height
- 2400 mm (floor to ceiling)
- Depth
- 380 mm
- Cupboard
- Top 900 mm from the floor, two inset doors
- Shelves
- 3 open above, 1 in the cupboard
The rules
- One tall box, floor to ceiling: a side is 2400 − 100 − 18 − 18 = 2264. The cupboard top is a fixed shelf 900 mm from the floor, between the sides.
- The doors sit inside the cupboard opening (inset), with 3 mm gaps all round and between them.
- Shelves in the cupboard stop behind the doors, so they're 18 mm shallower than the open shelves above.
- The other two layouts, a deeper cupboard with a bookcase on it and shelves only, follow the same rules.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| TopFull width × full depth | 900 × 380 | Full width × full depth | |
| BottomSame as the top | 900 × 380 | Same as the top | |
| Side × 22400 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 2264 | 2264 × 380 | 2400 − 100 plinth − 18 top − 18 bottom = 2264 | |
| Back900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | 864 × 2264 | 900 − 18 − 18 sides = 864 wide; as high as a side | |
| Fixed shelf · over cupboardBetween the sides, 864; 380 − 18 back = 362 deep | 864 × 362 | Between the sides, 864; 380 − 18 back = 362 deep | |
| Open shelf × 3864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 380 − 18 back − 2 = 360 deep | 860 × 360 | 864 − 2 − 2 = 860 wide; 380 − 18 back − 2 = 360 deep | |
| Shelf in cupboard860 wide; 380 − 18 door − 18 back − 2 = 342 deep | 860 × 342 | 860 wide; 380 − 18 door − 18 back − 2 = 342 deep | |
| PlinthFull width × 100 | 900 × 100 | Full width × 100 | |
| Door · inset × 2900 − 100 − 18 − 18 = 764 opening − 3 − 3 = 758 high; (864 − 3 − 3 − 3) ÷ 2 = 427.5 wide | 758 × 427.5 | 900 − 100 − 18 − 18 = 764 opening − 3 − 3 = 758 high; (864 − 3 − 3 − 3) ÷ 2 = 427.5 wide | |
| 13 parts and 15.37 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Night stand500 × 500 × 500 · Worktop, one drawer, open shelf below13 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 500 mm
- Height
- 500 mm (to the top of the worktop)
- Depth
- 500 mm
- Drawer
- One, 150 mm front
- Below
- Open, one shelf
The rules
- A worktop instead of a top panel: full width, and it runs 10 mm past the drawer front, so it's 500 + 18 + 10 deep.
- The sides stand on the bottom and stop under the worktop, on a low 50 mm plinth.
- The drawer front is 150 high, 2 mm in at each side and 3 mm under the worktop. The drawer box follows the chest of drawers' rules.
- Below the drawer it's open, with a shelf; pick a door instead and it fills the space under the drawer.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| WorktopFull width; 500 + 18 drawer front + 10 overhang = 528 deep | 500 × 528 | Full width; 500 + 18 drawer front + 10 overhang = 528 deep | |
| Side × 2500 − 18 worktop − 50 plinth − 18 bottom = 414 | 414 × 500 | 500 − 18 worktop − 50 plinth − 18 bottom = 414 | |
| BottomFull width × full depth | 500 × 500 | Full width × full depth | |
| Back500 − 18 − 18 = 464 wide; as high as a side | 464 × 414 | 500 − 18 − 18 = 464 wide; as high as a side | |
| Shelf464 − 2 − 2 = 460 wide; 500 − 18 back − 2 = 480 deep | 460 × 480 | 464 − 2 − 2 = 460 wide; 500 − 18 back − 2 = 480 deep | |
| Drawer front150 high; 500 − 2 − 2 = 496 wide | 150 × 496 | 150 high; 500 − 2 − 2 = 496 wide | |
| Drawer box side × 2500 − 18 back = 482 long; 150 front − 40 = 110 high | 482 × 110 | 500 − 18 back = 482 long; 150 front − 40 = 110 high | |
| Drawer box front / back × 2500 − 18 − 18 = 464 inside − 26 runners = 438 box; − 18 − 18 = 402 | 402 × 110 | 500 − 18 − 18 = 464 inside − 26 runners = 438 box; − 18 − 18 = 402 | |
| Drawer box bottom402 + 6 + 6 grooves = 414; 482 − 18 − 18 + 6 + 6 = 458 | 414 × 458 | 402 + 6 + 6 grooves = 414; 482 − 18 − 18 + 6 + 6 = 458 | |
| PlinthFull width × 50 | 500 × 50 | Full width × 50 | |
| 13 parts and 3.58 m of edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Shaker door500 × 720 · A frame and panel door, on its own5 parts
What you enter
- Width
- 500 mm
- Height
- 720 mm
- Frame
- 70 mm wide, 18 mm thick
- Panel
- 6 mm, in a 10 mm groove
The rules
- Two stiles run the full height. The rails fit between them, with a 10 mm tenon at each end that goes into the stiles' groove.
- The panel sits in a 10 mm groove all round, so it's the opening in the frame plus 20 mm each way.
- Taller doors can have up to 3 dividers (mid rails); each makes its own panel. No edging tape: the frame is the edge.
| To scale | Part | Size, mm | How it’s worked out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stile × 2Full height 720 × 70 | 720 × 70 | Full height 720 × 70 | |
| Rail · top & bottom × 2500 − 70 − 70 = 360 + 10 + 10 tenons = 380 | 380 × 70 | 500 − 70 − 70 = 360 + 10 + 10 tenons = 380 | |
| Panel · 6 mm720 − 70 − 70 + 10 + 10 = 600; 360 + 10 + 10 = 380 | 600 × 380 | 720 − 70 − 70 + 10 + 10 = 600; 360 + 10 + 10 = 380 | |
| 5 parts, no edging tape. Sizes are length × width, as the cut list shows them. | |||
Check before you cut
These are the app’s starting settings. Change the board thickness, the gaps or how the box goes together, and every size follows. The cut list is only as good as what goes in: check it against your drawing and your site measurements before you cut. See section 7 of our Terms of Service.