Lumbertool Calculate board feet

Cabinet carcass and face-frame layout

Cabinet carcass cut list

Turn a measured outside cabinet size into a simple side, top, bottom and overlay-back cut list.

Try the calculation

Example inputs · U.S. customary units

A 24 × 30 × 12 in cabinet box. The example has full-height sides and an overlay back. It does not prescribe a standard cabinet or load rating.

Example: 24 in.

Example: 30 in.

Example: 12 in.

Example: 0.75 in.

Example: 0.25 in.

Results

Ready to calculate

Enter your values, then choose Calculate. Your results will appear here.

How to use cabinet carcass cut list

What this calculation does

This carcass list models two full-height sides, top and bottom fitted between them, and a flat back overlaid across the rear.

Measure outside width, carcass height and depth, then enter actual panel thickness and overlay-back thickness.

Enter the measurements

  1. Outside cabinet width: Enter the finished outside width.
  2. Carcass height: Enter the carcass height.
  3. Carcass depth, excluding back: Measure depth before adding the overlay back.
  4. Actual side/top/bottom thickness: Use the actual thickness of sides, top and bottom.
  5. Actual overlay-back thickness: Use actual thickness of the overlay back.

Formula and variables

Sides = carcass height × carcass depth. Each top/bottom width = outside width − 2 × board thickness; its depth equals the entered carcass depth. Overlay back = outside width × carcass height. Overall depth = carcass depth + back thickness.

Top and bottom width subtracts two side thicknesses. The overlay back uses outside width and height; overall depth adds its thickness.

Read the result

A 24×30×12 in carcass with 0.75 in sides and 0.25 in overlay back has 22.5 in top/bottom pieces and 12.25 in total depth.

Worked example

Inputs: 24 in outside width, 30 in height, 12 in depth, 0.75 in sides and 0.25 in overlay back

  1. Top/bottom width = 24−2×0.75 = 22.5 in; sides are 30×12 in.
  2. Overall depth = 12+0.25 = 12.25 in; back is 24×30 in.

Expected result: two 30 × 12 in sides; two 22.5 × 12 in top/bottom parts; 24 × 30 in back; 12.25 in overall depth

Frequently asked questions

Does this include dados or a toe kick?

No. The model is a simple box with an overlay back and excludes those construction details.

Can I use nominal panel thickness?

Use actual thickness for the parts that meet at the carcass sides.

Conditions, presets and technical notes

Assumes top and bottom fit between two full-height sides, and a flat back overlays the carcass. It does not include a dado, inset back, toe kick, shelves, rails, scribe, hardware, load rating or a universal cabinet standard.

Cabinet face-frame layout

Lay out a symmetric face frame with full-height outer stiles, top/bottom rails and equal-width bays separated by mullions.

Try the calculation

Example inputs · U.S. customary units

A 30 in square, three-bay face frame. The example uses equal 2 in members and the construction described below; joinery allowances are separate.

Example: 30 in.

Example: 30 in.

Example: 2 in.

Example: 2 in.

Example: 2 in.

Example: 3 bays.

Results

Ready to calculate

Enter your values, then choose Calculate. Your results will appear here.

How to use cabinet face-frame layout

What this calculation does

A face-frame layout calculates rail length and equal clear bays between full-height outer stiles and entered mullions.

Measure outside frame width and height, member widths and the count of equal clear bays.

Enter the measurements

  1. Outside frame width: Measure the outside frame width.
  2. Outside frame height: Measure the outside frame height.
  3. Outer stile width: Measure each outer stile width.
  4. Top/bottom rail width: Measure top and bottom rail width.
  5. Mullion width: Measure each divider between bays.
  6. Equal clear bays: Count the equal clear openings.

Formula and variables

Rail length = outside width − 2 × stile width. Clear bay width = (rail length − (bay count − 1) × mullion width) ÷ bay count. Clear opening height = outside height − 2 × rail width.

Rails span between the two stiles. Clear bay width divides the remaining rail length after mullions by bay count; clear height subtracts two rails.

Read the result

The 30×30 in example gives 26 in rails and opening height, with each of three clear bays about 7.333 in wide.

Worked example

Inputs: 30 × 30 in frame, 2 in stiles, rails and mullions, three equal bays

  1. Rail = 30−2×2 = 26 in; clear height = 30−2×2 = 26 in.
  2. Bay width = (26−(3−1)×2)÷3 = 22÷3 ≈ 7.333 in.

Expected result: 26 in rails and opening height; each bay is 7.333 in wide

Frequently asked questions

Does the model specify joinery?

No. It calculates member and opening dimensions for the stated layout only.

Does it include door overlay or panel clearance?

No. Those fit decisions are separate from face-frame openings.

Conditions, presets and technical notes

Assumes two full-height stiles, top and bottom rails between them, and one full-width mullion between each bay. Does not calculate joinery, overlay, cabinet carcass fit, material allowance or load capacity.