Joinery
Pocket Hole Spacing & Screw Selector
Pick the right Kreg-style pocket hole spacing for face frames, cabinet carcases, and edge-to-face joinery — with screw length by material thickness.
Calculator
Edge-to-face / T-joint / Miter
What makes this different
Generic pocket-hole calculators give you a number. This one asks for joint type (edge-to-face, miter, T-joint), shows the recommended screw length from a built-in chart, and warns when your chosen spacing would cause screws to collide or split the wood.
Who it's for & when to use it
Building face-frame cabinets, attaching cabinet sides to a top/bottom, edge-to-edge glue-ups with mechanical reinforcement.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: Standard practice: 2 holes per 8–10 in along the joint, screws 0.5–1 in from each edge, never closer than 0.25 in to end grain.
Notes & tips from the shop
- Pocket hole screws are not structural for shelf-bearing loads. Use them for alignment and racking resistance, not for holding a granite countertop.
- In hardwood, pre-drill pilot holes to prevent splitting; softwood tolerates the screw directly.
- For plywood, use fine-thread screws; for solid stock, use coarse-thread.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pocket holes in end grain?
End grain pulls out easily; pocket holes are weak there. Use a face-to-edge joint instead, or reinforce with dowels/dominoes.
What if my joint is shorter than 6 in?
Use 2 screws, one near each end. Don't crowd them.
How close is too close to the edge?
Less than 0.25 in risks blowout; 0.5 in is the safe minimum for most softwood.
Limitations
Pull-out strength depends on species and screw type; this tool picks a spacing, not a load rating.
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