Table Leg Taper Calculator
A tapered table leg is cut with a tapering jig on the table saw. The jig holds the leg at an angle so the saw removes more material at the foot than at the top, producing a straight taper. The critical measurement is the offset at the foot of the leg: how far the foot end of the leg is displaced from the saw fence relative to the top. This calculator computes that offset, the taper angle in degrees, and the material removed per face at the foot. Enter the leg dimensions and taper start position to get the jig setting.
Table leg taper formula
Taper length = leg length - taper start
Material removed per face = (top width - bottom width) / 2
Jig offset = material removed per face × (taper length / leg length)
Taper angle = arctan(material removed per face / taper length)
Material removed per face assumes a two-sided taper (both inside faces tapered equally). The jig offset scales the per-face removal by the taper length ratio relative to the full leg length, giving the foot displacement from the saw fence. The taper angle in degrees is the arctangent of rise over run.
Cutting tapered legs safely
- Make all cuts with the tapered face, not the straight face, against the jig fence to maintain consistent results.
- Use a featherboard and push stick when ripping narrow legs near the blade.
- Cut the first taper on all legs before adjusting the jig for the second face; this ensures all four legs are identical.
- A thin-kerf blade leaves a slightly rough surface that will plane or sand out more easily than a wide-kerf cut.
- Light plane passes with a sharp hand plane remove saw marks and bring the taper to a smooth, crisp finish.
Table leg taper calculator: frequently asked questions
What is a tapering jig?
A tapering jig is a simple shop-made or purchased device that holds a table leg at an angle on the table saw so each face can be tapered with a straight rip cut. The jig is adjusted by the offset distance calculated here, which determines the angle of the cut.
How much taper is typical for furniture legs?
A common proportion is to taper the leg from full thickness at the top to about half thickness at the foot. For example, a 1.75-inch square leg might taper to 0.875 inch at the foot. The taper usually begins 3 to 6 inches below the apron joint, so the full-thickness section provides a solid gluing surface.
How many faces of the leg should I taper?
Most table legs are tapered on two inside faces (the faces that face the interior of the table). This preserves the square, full-thickness face on the outside two faces where they are most visible and structurally important at the apron joint. Four-sided tapers give a more slender, formal appearance.
How do I set the tapering jig offset?
Mark the start of the taper on the leg. Place the leg against the jig fence with the taper start mark aligned with the front edge of the jig. Adjust the jig fence angle until the end of the leg is offset from the saw fence by the calculated offset distance. Run the leg through the saw.
Can I use a band saw instead of a table saw for tapers?
Yes. Lay out the taper line directly on the leg with a marking gauge, cut just outside the line on the band saw, and then clean up to the line with a hand plane or drum sander. This method requires no jig but is slower for multiple identical legs.
Official sources
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory: FPL Homepage.
- OSHA woodworking machine safety: OSHA Woodworking.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.