Sawhorse Angle Calculator
Calculate the leg length and cut angles for a sawhorse based on your desired height and base spread. Includes an SVG diagram with labelled dimensions.
Sawhorse Dimensions
Typical working height: 80-100cm
Width between where legs attach
Distance between feet on ground
Calculated Angles & Dimensions
Leg Length
72.8 cm
Angle from Vertical
15.9°
Angle from Horizontal
74.1°
Horizontal Distance
20.0 cm
Tip: Cut legs at 15.9° to the vertical for a stable sawhorse. Make sure both legs are identical for balance.
Sawhorse Diagram
What Angle for Sawhorse Legs
Standard sawhorse leg angle: 12-15 degrees from vertical. This gives stability without making the unit overly wide. Steeper angles (20+ degrees) give wider base but use more material and create awkward storage. Steel sawhorses often use 10-12 degrees; wooden DIY sawhorses commonly 12-15 degrees.
For DIY construction, the angle is set by the relationship between leg height and base width. A 30-inch tall sawhorse with legs splayed at 12 degrees has a base width of 30 × tan(12°) × 2 = 12.75 inches between leg bottoms. A 15-degree splay gives 16.1 inches base width. Both stable; the wider base offers more lateral stability for heavy work.
Sawhorse Geometry
| Leg angle | Stability | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| 8° | Less stable | Light work, narrow access |
| 10° | Adequate | General DIY |
| 12° | Good standard | Most home woodworking |
| 15° | Very stable | Heavy materials, professional |
| 18° | Very stable, wide | Outdoor, uneven ground |
| 20°+ | Maximum stability | Industrial, heaviest loads |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the standard sawhorse height?
30-32 inches typical for hand tool work; matches typical workbench height. Taller (34-36 inches) for power tool work where you need clearance under boards. Shorter (24 inches) for sawing operations where you need to bear down. Match to your typical task.
Should I cut the angle on the legs or use a metal bracket?
Both work. Metal sawhorse brackets (HD/Lowes/B&Q) handle the angle math for you - you just fit standard 2x4 legs and crossbar. DIY angled cuts require accurate marking but produce a more refined result and use less hardware.
Related Tools
Wood Joint Calculator
Calculate dimensions for dovetail, finger, box, half-lap, mortise and tenon, and dowel joints with SVG diagrams. Enter board dimensions to get joint measurements.
Wood Cost Calculator
Build a cut list and calculate timber costs for your woodworking project. Supports pine, oak, walnut, plywood and MDF with waste factor.