Dovetail Joint Calculator
Through Dovetail Layout
Calculate pin and tail spacing for through dovetails
Formula
Tail Width = (Board Width - Total Pin Width) / Number of Tails | Angle = arctan(1/ratio)
Frequently Asked Questions
What dovetail angle should I use?
Use 1:6 for softwoods, 1:7 for general purpose, and 1:8 for hardwoods. A steeper angle provides more mechanical strength but is harder to cut in hardwoods.
How many tails should I use?
A common guideline is one tail per inch of board width. Odd numbers of tails often look more pleasing.
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