Method for lost circulation reduction in drilling operations

A method, comprising:

• determining a first particle size distribution for particulate additives in a first wellbore fluid circulated through a wellbore through an earthen formation;
• determining a second particle size distribution for drilled cuttings resulting from drilling of the wellbore;
• comparing the first and second particle size distributions to determine a third particle size distribution for the combined particulate additives and the drilled cuttings, wherein the comparing comprises overlaying plots of the first and second particle size distribution and determining a size range where there is a lower volume percentage of particles than surrounding size ranges in the first and second particle size distributions;
• selecting a lost circulation material having a fourth particle size distribution based on the third particle size distribution;
• and
• pumping the selected lost circulation material into the wellbore.