Dovetail Calculator — Calculate Dovetail Joint Dimensions & Angles

Dovetail Joint Calculator

Calculate perfect dovetail joint dimensions. Determine angles, spacing, pin/tail proportions for woodworking projects with precision.

Step 1: Board Dimensions

Understanding Board Thickness

Board thickness affects dovetail proportions. Thicker boards allow for larger tails, while thinner boards require smaller, more delicate joints.

Step 2: Dovetail Specifications

degrees
5 tails
0.4 (tail:pin)

About Dovetail Angles

Softer woods need steeper angles (1:6) for strength. Hardwoods can use shallower angles (1:8) for a more delicate appearance. Traditional joinery often uses 1:8 ratio.

Dovetail Calculation Results

Summary
Style Comparison
Joint Analysis

Optimal Tail Width

0.75″
Angle: 7.1° (1:8 ratio)
Pin Width
0.30″
Spacing Center
1.05″
Joint Strength
Excellent
Cutting Difficulty
Medium

Dovetail Style Comparison

Style Angle Strength Difficulty Best Use

Joint Proportion Analysis

Dovetail Formula

Tail Width = (Board Width – (Pins × Pin Width)) / Number of Tails

The dovetail joint proportions are calculated based on board width, number of tails, and desired pin-to-tail ratio for optimal strength and aesthetics.

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