Free cut list · 60" W × 29" H × 30" D
Desk cut list
A 60" wide, 30" deep, 29" tall desk built from panel legs and a single 3/4" plywood top.
Panel-leg desks are the easiest desk to build from a single sheet: a top, two side panels, and a modesty panel at the back to keep it square. The side panels are 28.25" tall so the finished height with the top is 29", the standard for a writing desk.
The side panels are 23.5" deep rather than the full 30" so the top overhangs front and back, and so that both panels stack beside the top with a saw kerf between them and still clear the 48" sheet width. The modesty panel runs between the sides and sits back 1" from the rear edge.
At a glance
- Overall size 60" wide × 29" tall × 30" deep
- Material 3/4" plywood, 4×8 sheet (48 × 96)
- Sheet parts 5 pieces, 4 sizes
- Units Inches. Type millimeter values into the calculator to work metric.
Cut list
| Part | Size (in) | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | 60 × 30 | 1 | Edge-band all four edges. |
| Side panel | 28.25 × 23.5 | 2 | Panel legs. 23.5" deep so both fit beside the top with a kerf between them. |
| Modesty panel | 58.5 × 12 | 1 | Runs between the side panels. |
| Support cleat | 58.5 × 3 | 1 | Under the front edge to stop sag. |
| Part | Size | Qty | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edge banding | About 30 linear ft | 1 | Iron-on or solid wood | Covers the exposed plywood edges. |
Sheet layout calculator
Pre-filled with the cut list above. Change a size, quantity, or the sheet dimensions and recalculate.
Cut layout
Cutting order
- Cut the top. A 60 × 30 top comes off the sheet as one rip and one crosscut. Cut it first so the best face lands on top.
- Cut the side panels from the rest. The strip beside the top is just under 36 × 48. Both 28.25 × 23.5 sides stack in it with 1/8" to spare after the kerf.
- Cut the long strips. The modesty panel and cleat are 58.5" long. They fit in the 18" strip next to the top.
- Band before assembly. Edge-band the top and side panels before joining so you can trim flush on a flat surface.
Questions
Does everything fit on one sheet?
Yes, at a 1/8" kerf. The calculator shows the layout and reports about 87 percent yield.
Can I make the desk 72" wide?
The sides still fit, but a 72 × 30 top plus the panels pushes you to two sheets. Use the extra width of the second sheet for a drawer box or shelf.
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