What is the miter angle for a standard square (4-sided) frame?

For a 4-sided (90° corner) frame the miter angle is 45°. Each of the two mating pieces is cut at 45° so they meet at a perfect right angle.

How is miter angle different from bevel angle?

The miter angle is the horizontal rotation of the saw blade (left/right tilt of the fence or table). The bevel angle is the vertical tilt of the blade. Flat polygon frames need only a miter cut; compound joints on angled surfaces require both.

What angles do I use for a regular hexagon (6-sided) frame?

A regular hexagon has 120° interior corners. Each piece therefore needs a 30° miter cut (90° − 60° = 30°). Two 30° cuts produce the 60° joint angle needed to close the hexagon.

Can I use this for irregular polygons?

The polygon mode assumes all sides are equal (regular polygon). For irregular shapes, enter the actual corner angle in the "Corner angle" field directly to get the matching miter angle.

Why does the miter angle decrease as the number of sides increases?

More sides means shallower interior corners (closer to 180°). The miter cut approaches 0° as the polygon approaches a circle — each segment barely rotates relative to its neighbour.

Miter Angle Woodworking Calculator

Name: Miter Angle Woodworking Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter the number of sides or corner angle to get the exact miter and bevel cut angles for any polygon frame or joint.

Miter Angle Calculator

Number of sides (3 – 60)

e.g. 4 = square frame, 6 = hexagon, 8 = octagon

Cut Angles

Miter Angle

45.0°

Horizontal saw tilt

Corner Angle

90.0°

Interior joint angle

Bevel angle: 0° — flat frame, no blade tilt needed.

Common Polygon Reference

Shape	Sides	Corner	Miter cut

Summary

Enter the number of sides or corner angle to get the exact miter and bevel cut angles for any polygon frame or joint.

How it works

Enter the number of sides for a regular polygon frame, or type the corner angle directly.
The calculator derives the interior corner angle from the polygon geometry.
Miter angle = half the corner angle subtracted from 90°, which is the cut you set on your miter saw.
For flat (two-dimensional) frames the bevel angle is 0°; compound cuts on angled surfaces use the bevel field.
Read the results table and copy the angle to your saw before cutting.

Use cases

Cutting picture frames, mirror frames, or window casings at the right miter angle.
Building hexagonal or octagonal planters, clocks, and decorative boxes.
Framing polygon-shaped table tops or cabinet face frames.
Verifying saw settings before making expensive cuts on hardwood.
Teaching joinery students the relationship between polygon geometry and saw angles.
Quick reference for any crown-molding or baseboard corner angle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu