Dovetail Joint Spacing Calculator
Lay out perfectly even dovetail pins and tails by entering your board width, desired pin count, and edge margins.
Spacing Between Pin Centers
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Usable Width—
Spacing Between Pin Centers—
Pin Width—
Tail Width—
About this calculator
Plan evenly spaced dovetail pins and tails across a board width, including margins, for clean hand-cut or router dovetail joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the number of pins?
More pins create a more decorative look but take longer to cut; 3-6 pins is typical for drawer-sized boards.
What margin should I leave at the edges?
A common starting point is a half-pin margin of 1/4 to 3/8 inch so the joint doesn't blow out at the edges.
Does this work for both hand-cut and router dovetails?
Yes, the spacing math applies to any dovetail method; router jigs may have their own fixed spacing templates though.