Table Design Calculator

Calculate leg dimensions, apron sizing, taper angles, board footage, and lumber cost for dining and work table projects.

Table length (in)

Table width (in)

Top thickness (in)

Table height (in)

Top overhang past apron (in)

Leg style (0=Straight 1=Tapered 2=Turned)

Number of legs

Lumber cost ($/BF)

Tab to move between fields

Leg top cross-section (in)

Total board feet (with waste)

37.58

Leg bottom dimension (in)1.95

Leg height (in)29

Taper per side (in)0.53

Apron depth (in)6

Long apron cut length (in)65

Short apron cut length (in)29

Tabletop board feet18

Estimated lumber cost ($)$300.63

Seating capacity6

Taper Length22.5

How to Use This Calculator

Enter Table Length, Width, and Height in inches along with the Top Thickness.
Select Leg Style (straight, tapered, or turned), Number of Legs, and Top Overhang past the apron.
Enter Lumber Cost per board foot to get a material cost estimate.
Review Leg Top Cross-Section, Taper Per Side, Apron Depth, and all cut lengths as your build dimensions.
Check Total Board Feet with waste and Estimated Lumber Cost to plan your material purchase.

What each input means

Table length (in): Overall tabletop length. Standard 6-person dining table is 72".
Table width (in): Overall tabletop width. Standard dining is 36-42".
Top thickness (in): Tabletop thickness. 3/4" to 1" for standard, 1.5"+ for farmhouse style.
Table height (in): Overall height. Standard dining is 30", counter height is 36".
Top overhang past apron (in): How far the top extends past the leg/apron assembly.
Leg style (0=Straight 1=Tapered 2=Turned): Select the leg style (0=straight 1=tapered 2=turned)
Number of legs: Most tables have 4 legs. Trestle tables may use 2 or 3.
Lumber cost ($/BF): Cost per board foot. Cherry ~$8, Walnut ~$12, Oak ~$6.

Leg top cross-section (in): Square dimension at the top of each leg where aprons join.
Leg bottom dimension (in): Dimension at the foot. Same as top for straight legs.
Leg height (in): Leg length from floor to underside of tabletop.
Taper per side (in): Amount removed from each face during taper (0 for straight legs).
Apron depth (in): Recommended apron height for structural rigidity.
Long apron cut length (in): Cut length for the long aprons including tenons.
Short apron cut length (in): Cut length for the short aprons including tenons.
Tabletop board feet: Board feet of lumber for the tabletop alone.
Total board feet (with waste): Total lumber including legs, aprons, top, and 15% waste.
Estimated lumber cost ($): Total lumber cost at the specified price per board foot.
Seating capacity: Estimated seats at 24" per place setting.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Table length (in) = 72, Table width (in) = 36, Top thickness (in) = 1, Table height (in) = 30 = 8 input(s) provided
Calculate Leg top cross-section
Leg top cross-section = max(minLegSection, apronThickness + 0.5)
3 = 3
Calculate Total board feet
Total board feet = netBoardFeet * 1.15
37.58 = 37.58
Calculate Leg bottom dimension
Leg bottom dimension = legTopDimension * taperRatio
1.95 = 1.95
Calculate Leg height
Leg height = tableHeight - topThickness
29 = 29