OpenCutList Review and verdict 2026

SketchUp plugin for cut lists, panels, and fabrication preparation.

Free.

Our take

Understanding OpenCutList.

Free, open-source SketchUp extension that automates generation of cut lists, cutting diagrams, nesting layouts, and cost/weight reports for woodworking projects.

Practical uses

Generate cut lists for a woodworking project in SketchUp.
Optimize material and reduce wood/panel waste.
Create printable cutting diagrams for the shop.
Estimate total project cost and weight.
Share cut lists in CSVSuppliers or crew.

Pros and cons

What OpenCutList does especially well — and the limits to anticipate.

Pros

Completely free and open-source—no fees.
Native SketchUp extension integration.
Automatic cut list and diagram generation.
Basic nesting to minimize waste.
PDF/CSV reports for printing or sharing.
Active community and ongoing development.
No paywalls or usage limits.

Cons

Desktop SketchUp only (not web/cloud versions).
Nesting limited vs commercial tools (Cut Optima, Opticut).
Requires SketchUp to run (not standalone).
Limited non-English/French localization.
Community support, no dedicated assistance.

OpenCutList: when it makes sense.

OpenCutList dominates for freelance woodworkers and small SketchUp shops—free, reliable, backed by active community.

Keep if

You use SketchUp (desktop) and do woodworking or carpentry.. You want a free tool to optimize cuts and material waste.

Challenge if

You only use SketchUp web (cloud)—OpenCutList is desktop-only.. You need industrial-strength nesting (use Cut Optima or Cut Wize).

Our verdict on OpenCutList.

Why this verdict

Decent

OpenCutList is fairly easy to replace with an alternative, a free tier to test before paying, clearly documented use cases.