Dovetail Spacing Calculator
Calculate evenly spaced pins and tails for hand-cut dovetail joints.
Dovetail Angle Guide
| Wood Type | Recommended Angle | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood (oak, maple, walnut) | 7°–8° | 1:8 to 1:7 |
| Medium (cherry, ash) | 9°–11° | 1:6 to 1:5 |
| Softwood (pine, cedar) | 12°–14° | 1:5 to 1:4 |
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How to Space Dovetails Evenly
Dovetail joints are one of the strongest and most visually striking woodworking joints. Even spacing creates a professional look and ensures the joint's mechanical strength is distributed evenly across the board.
The layout starts with two half-pins at each edge of the board. The remaining space is divided between tails and full pins. The tail-to-pin ratio determines the visual character: a 2:1 ratio is traditional (tails are twice as wide as pins), while 3:1 creates a more delicate look for fine furniture.
This calculator determines the exact width of each tail and pin given your board width, number of tails, half-pin width, and desired ratio. Mark these measurements directly on your board for precise hand-cutting.