THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
Offsets are measured from the left dado edge. Equal-spaced geometric passes cover the width with overlap. This is a top-view layout only; it does not choose depth of cut or a machining procedure.
Start with your inputs
Enter panel thickness (mm), clearance (mm), cutter diameter (mm). Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Panel thickness (mm) | 18 |
| Clearance (mm) | 0.2 |
| Cutter diameter (mm) | 12 |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, dado width (mm) is 18.2. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Dado width (mm) | 18.2 |
| Cutter centre offsets (mm) | 6, 12.2 |
How this is calculated
Dado width (mm)
a+b.
Cutter centre offsets (mm)
Use roundUp((a+b)/c) passes, with centres equally spaced from c/2 to a+b−c/2. One exact-width pass is centred at c/2.
Symbols and units
- a
- Panel thickness (mm)
- b
- Clearance (mm)
- c
- Cutter diameter (mm)
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Assumptions and limits
Offsets are measured from the left dado edge. Equal-spaced geometric passes cover the width with overlap. This is a top-view layout only; it does not choose depth of cut or a machining procedure.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Dado width (mm); Cutter centre offsets (mm). The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: Offsets are measured from the left dado edge. Equal-spaced geometric passes cover the width with overlap. This is a top-view layout only; it does not choose depth of cut or a machining procedure.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Further reading
OpenStax: algebra and proportional reasoning ↗
Background reading; this does not imply endorsement or independent review of SumFizz.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
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