Dowel Spacing Calculator

Calculate equal center-to-center dowel spacing from joint length, dowel count and end margin.

Distance from each end to the center of the first and last dowel.

How it works

The calculator subtracts the two equal end margins and divides the remaining joint length into one fewer spaces than the number of dowels.

spacing = (joint length − 2 × end margin) ÷ (dowel count − 1)

Worked example

Five dowels along a 24 in joint with 2 in end margins are spaced 5 in center to center.

Assumptions

  • End margins are equal at both ends.

Limitations

  • Dowel diameter, joint strength and material requirements are outside this spacing calculation.