Dovetail Angle Calculator
Dovetail angle converts a shop slope such as 1:6, 1:7 or 1:8 into the side offset through the board thickness. The working layout calculator keeps that angle tied to the full tail and pin spacing.
dovetail angle calculator dovetail slope calculator 1:6 dovetail angle
Slope to angle
A 1:n dovetail slope means one unit of sideways movement for n units of run.
angle = atan(1 / n)
Side offset
The marking offset through stock thickness uses the selected angle.
offset = thickness * tan(angle)
Layout follow-up
Angle alone does not place tails and pins. Use the full spacing workflow when the drawer side width and tail count are known.
Frequently asked questions
What angle is a 1:6 dovetail?
A 1:6 slope is about 9.46 degrees from square.
Is a 1:8 dovetail shallower?
Yes. A 1:8 slope is about 7.13 degrees from square.
Related pages
- Dovetail spacing calculator - working angle, offset and spacing calculator.
- Dovetail layout calculator - tail, pin and edge half-pin search path.
- Drawer box calculator - drawer opening and box size workflow.
- Wood movement calculator - seasonal fit check for drawer parts.