Understanding "Calculate Yield% By Net Area" vs. "By Usage" in MeasureSquare Stone
In the Slab Optimizer, the Calculate Yield% By option controls how MeasureSquare Stone calculates the Yield% and Waste% for your slab layout. Both methods use the same formula — Yield% = Total Pieces ÷ Total Slabs — but they differ in how the "Total Pieces" area is measured. This article explains the difference so you can choose the right method for your reporting needs.
What This Setting Does
The Calculate Yield% By dropdown is located under Cut Options in the Slab Optimizer tab. It does not change your layout or cuts — it only changes how yield and waste are reported. (See Screenshots below.)
By Net Area
With Net Area, Total Pieces counts only the true finished area of each piece. Any material inside a piece's footprint that is not part of the finished product — such as sink cutouts, notches, or the empty space inside an irregular/curved piece — is counted as waste.
- Gives a more conservative result (lower Yield%, higher Waste%).
- Best reflects the actual finished product area vs. raw slab material.
- In the example: Total Pieces = 528.61 SF, Yield% = 68.5%, Waste% = 31.5%.
By Usage
With Usage, Total Pieces counts the full slab area each piece occupies (its footprint), including internal cutouts and non-recoverable material within that region.
- Gives a more optimistic result (higher Yield%, lower Waste%).
- Best reflects how much of the slab is actually consumed/committed, rather than how much becomes finished product.
- In the example: Total Pieces = 581.92 SF, Yield% = 75.4%, Waste% = 24.6%.
Note: Because a piece's occupied footprint is always greater than or equal to its net area, the Usage method always reports an equal or higher Yield% than the Net Area method for the same layout.Which One to Use
- Use Net Area when you want to measure true material efficiency — how much slab becomes usable finished product.
- Use Usage when you want to measure how much of the slab is practically consumed, treating irregular/cutout material as used rather than reclaimable.
Note: If you need further assistance, contact MeasureSquare Customer Support at +1-626-683-9188 press 3 or email support@measuresquare.com.
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