Calculator
Glue-up clamp spacing
Planning an edge-glued panel, like a tabletop? Enter its size and board thickness for a starting clamp count, spacing, and an alternating top-and-bottom layout.
Your panel
JavaScript is off, so this page cannot plan the clamps for you. Use the rule of thumb below, or turn JavaScript on for a live plan.
Clamps —
Spacing —
Clamp opening needed —
Glue lines —
Enter panel length, panel width, board width, and thickness greater than zero.
The rule of thumb
Clamp pressure spreads into the wood at roughly 45°, so each clamp presses on a strip about twice as wide as its distance from the jaw. The first glue line is one board width in from the clamp, so spacing clamps no more than two board widths apart lets their pressure overlap there. Thin stock flexes more, so spacing is also capped: about 6″ for ½″ stock or thinner, 8″ up to 1″, and 10″ for thicker boards. The end clamps sit about 2″ in from each end.
Worked example
A 36″ long, 20″ wide panel of four 5″ wide boards, ¾″ thick: two board widths is 10″, but ¾″ stock caps spacing at 8″. The 32″ between the end clamps splits into four 8″ gaps, so use 5 clamps — under, on top, under, on top, under — each opening at least 22″.
Glue-up tips
Dry-fit everything first, with every clamp set to size. Alternate clamps above and below so the panel does not cup toward the bars. Snug clamps until you see an even bead of squeeze-out; cranking harder can starve the joint. Keep the panel flat on the clamps, and check it with a straightedge.
This is a rule of thumb for planning, not an engineering calculation. Follow your glue maker’s directions for open time and clamp time.
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