Set your board dimensions
Choose the overall width, length, and thickness for your cutting board in inches.
Free Design Tool
Free Cutting Board Designer
A cutting board designer is a visual tool that lets you plan wood stripe patterns, choose species, and preview dimensions before you start cutting and gluing. This free designer shows a live preview of your board, calculates how much wood you need per species in board feet, and helps you experiment with color combinations so every glue-up goes right the first time.
Cutting board designerPattern makerBoard feet calculator
Board preview
13.50" wide × 18" long × 1.5" thick
Stripes
Drag to reorder. Each stripe is a glued wood strip.
in
in
in
in
in
in
in
in
in
How to design a cutting board
Use these steps to plan your board before you head to the shop.
Add wood stripes
Pick a wood species for each stripe. Each species has a realistic color so you can see the pattern live.
Adjust stripe widths
Drag or type the width of each stripe. The preview updates in real time as you adjust proportions.
Review board feet per species
Check the calculated board feet for each wood species so you know exactly how much lumber to buy.
Cutting board design FAQ
Common questions from woodworkers planning their next cutting board project.
What wood species work best for cutting boards?
Hard, closed-grain species like maple, walnut, cherry, and white oak are the most popular. They resist knife marks, stay food-safe, and look beautiful. Avoid softwoods like pine and open-pore species like red oak for cutting surfaces.
How thick should a cutting board be?
Most edge-grain cutting boards are between 1 and 2 inches thick. Thinner boards are lighter and easier to store, while thicker boards feel more substantial and resist warping better over time.
How many stripes should a cutting board have?
That depends on the look you want. Simple boards use 3 to 5 wide stripes, while intricate designs can have 15 or more narrow stripes. More stripes mean more glue joints, so balance aesthetics with build complexity.
How do I calculate board feet for a cutting board?
Multiply the length by the width by the thickness of each stripe (all in inches) and divide by 144. This designer does the math automatically and groups it by species so you know exactly what to buy.
Can I mix light and dark woods in a cutting board?
Absolutely. Contrasting woods like walnut and maple create striking patterns. The key is choosing species with similar hardness so the board wears evenly and stays flat over time.