Cutting Board Wood Guide
Cutting Board Wood Strips Guide
Cutting board wood strips are pre-cut hardwood strips used to build DIY cutting boards, edge grain cutting boards, face grain boards, charcuterie boards, serving boards, and small woodworking projects.
This guide explains how cutting board strips work, how to choose the right hardwood species, how many strips you may need, and how to use the same strips in two different orientations to create either a thinner 3/4" board or a thicker 1.75" board.
Quick Answer
Cutting board wood strips are hardwood strips that can be glued together to create custom cutting boards. They are a flexible alternative to fixed cutting board kits because you can choose the species, length, quantity, and layout that fits your project.
Our strips measure approximately 1.75" wide x 3/4" thick. Use them face-up to create an approximately 3/4" thick board, or rotate them on edge to create an approximately 1.75" thick edge grain cutting board before sanding and finishing.
What Are Cutting Board Wood Strips?
Cutting board wood strips are strips of wood that have been cut to a convenient size for making cutting boards and other small woodworking projects. They are often used by hobbyists, DIY builders, and woodworkers who want to make a custom board without starting from rough lumber.
These hardwood strips can be arranged in simple or complex patterns, glued together, flattened, sanded, and finished to create a handmade cutting board, charcuterie board, serving board, or kitchen project.
Why Use Hardwood Strips Instead of Rough Lumber?
Less Milling
Pre-cut strips save time compared to buying rough lumber, ripping boards down, and preparing every piece from scratch.
More Species Options
Choose from domestic and exotic hardwood strips to create custom colour combinations, patterns, and accent details.
Build Your Own Kit
Instead of buying a fixed cutting board kit, individual strips let you choose the exact species and quantity you want.
Better for Custom Layouts
Create simple boards, high-contrast patterns, colourful exotic wood layouts, or matching sets for gifts and small batch projects.
Cutting Board Strip Size and Orientation
Each strip measures approximately 1.75" wide x 3/4" thick and is available in multiple lengths. The same strip can create two different board styles depending on how you orient the wood during glue-up.
Face-Up Layout
Glue the strips edge-to-edge with the 1.75" face showing. This creates an approximately 3/4" thick board before sanding and finishing.
This is a good option for thinner cutting boards, serving boards, cheese boards, and charcuterie-style projects.
On-Edge Layout
Rotate the strips onto their edge so the 1.75" dimension becomes the thickness. This creates an approximately 1.75" thick cutting board before sanding and finishing.
This is a good option for thicker edge grain cutting boards and heavier-use kitchen boards.
How Many Cutting Board Strips Do You Need?
The number of strips you need depends on your target board width and layout. The chart below shows approximate board width before trimming, sanding, glue cleanup, or additional milling.
| Number of Strips | Face-Up Approx. Width | Face-Up Approx. Thickness | On-Edge Approx. Width | On-Edge Approx. Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 strips | 8.75" | 3/4" | 3.75" | 1.75" |
| 6 strips | 10.5" | 3/4" | 4.5" | 1.75" |
| 7 strips | 12.25" | 3/4" | 5.25" | 1.75" |
| 8 strips | 14" | 3/4" | 6" | 1.75" |
| 9 strips | 15.75" | 3/4" | 6.75" | 1.75" |
| 10 strips | 17.5" | 3/4" | 7.5" | 1.75" |
| 12 strips | 21" | 3/4" | 9" | 1.75" |
Note: These are planning estimates. Final size may change after glue-up, flattening, trimming, sanding, and finishing.
Choosing Wood Species for Cutting Board Strips
The best wood strips for cutting boards depend on the look you want, the style of board, and how much contrast you want between species. Maple, walnut, and cherry are classic choices, while exotic hardwood strips can add colour and pattern.
Classic Cutting Board Woods
Maple, walnut, and cherry are popular choices for clean, timeless cutting boards and beginner-friendly layouts.
Exotic Accent Strips
Padauk, purpleheart, wenge, canary wood, leopardwood, and black limba can add colour, contrast, and unique detail.
Mixed Packs
Mixed packs are useful if you want variety without choosing every individual species yourself.
For a deeper comparison, see our Best Wood for Cutting Boards guide.
Cutting Board Kits vs Individual Wood Strips
A cutting board kit usually includes a fixed set of wood pieces chosen by the seller. That can be convenient, but it limits your control over species, quantity, length, and layout.
Individual cutting board strips let you build your own DIY cutting board kit. You can choose exactly how many wood strips you want, which species to include, and whether you want a simple classic board or a colourful exotic wood cutting board.
Compare Cutting Board Kits + Wood Strips →Beginner Recommendations
If this is your first cutting board, start with a simple combination. Maple, walnut, and cherry are easy to design around and create a clean, classic board.
If you want more colour, add a few accent strips in species like padauk, purpleheart, wenge, canary wood, or black limba. A small number of accent strips can make the board more interesting without making the layout feel too busy.
Simple Classic Board
Use maple, walnut, and cherry for a timeless cutting board with clean contrast.
Colour Accent Board
Add padauk, purpleheart, or canary wood for a brighter board with more visual impact.
Thicker Edge Grain Board
Rotate the strips on edge to create a thicker board that feels more substantial.
Basic Process for Using Cutting Board Strips
- Choose your strip length, species, and quantity.
- Decide whether you want a face-up board or an on-edge board.
- Lay out your pattern before glue-up.
- Glue and clamp the strips together using a suitable waterproof wood glue.
- Allow the glue to cure fully.
- Flatten, trim, and sand the board.
- Apply a cutting-board-safe finish before use.
Helpful Cutting Board Guides
Shop Cutting Board Supplies
Start with hardwood cutting board strips, then finish your board with the right sanding and finishing supplies.
Cutting Board Wood Strips FAQ
What are cutting board wood strips?
Cutting board wood strips are pre-cut hardwood strips used to make DIY cutting boards, edge grain boards, face grain boards, charcuterie boards, serving boards, and small woodworking projects.
Are cutting board strips the same as a cutting board kit?
They can be used to build your own cutting board kit. Individual strips give you more flexibility because you can choose the species, length, and quantity yourself.
What size are the cutting board strips?
Each strip is approximately 1.75" wide x 3/4" thick and is available in multiple lengths. Final board size may vary after glue-up, trimming, sanding, and finishing.
Can I make a thick cutting board with these strips?
Yes. Rotate the strips on edge and glue them together to create an approximately 1.75" thick board before sanding and finishing.
Can I make a thinner cutting board with these strips?
Yes. Glue the strips face-up edge-to-edge to create an approximately 3/4" thick board before sanding and finishing.
What wood species are good for cutting board strips?
Maple, walnut, and cherry are classic choices. Exotic woods like padauk, purpleheart, wenge, canary wood, leopardwood, and black limba can be used as accent strips for contrast and colour.
Are these strips finished?
No. These are unfinished hardwood strips. After glue-up, sanding, and flattening, apply a cutting-board-safe finish before use.
Build Your Own Cutting Board Kit
Choose your hardwood strips, plan your layout, and create a custom cutting board using the species, length, and quantity that fits your project.
