Workshop
Planer / Jointer Snipe Loss Calculator
Estimate the length of usable board lost to snipe at the ends — and see if your technique or machine setup is costing you.
Calculator
What makes this different
Standard snipe advice is 'feed the board in and out without stopping'. This one quantifies the loss: how many inches per board you actually lose, how much that adds up across a project, and whether it crosses the threshold where you should buy a segmented bed or longer infeed/outfeed table.
Who it's for & when to use it
Sizing material ordering for a high-snipe machine, budgeting extra stock for snipe.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: Total snipe length = boards × 2 × snipe_in. Convert to BF using stock cross-section.
Notes & tips from the shop
- Snipe is caused by the board being unsupported as it enters/exits the cutterhead. Longer infeed/outfeed tables reduce it.
- Lifting the board slightly as it exits prevents the back roller from digging in.
- Segmented bed rollers (a popular upgrade) virtually eliminate snipe on most machines.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sniped board usable?
If snipe is light, yes — just trim it off. If the snipe is deep enough to show after finishing, the board is for the cutoff bin.
Why does my jointer snipe worse than my planer?
Jointers usually have shorter beds. A long auxiliary fence and outfeed table fixes most jointer snipe.
Is snipe worse on hardwood?
Yes — hardwood shows snipe more visibly than softwood because of the contrast and grain pattern.
Limitations
Assumes uniform snipe length; actual snipe varies by board and by humidity.
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