Compound miter
Compound Miter Calculator
Two pieces meeting at a 90° corner, each tilted 45° back from the wall. Lay flat on the saw table and set both angles.
Quick answer
For a 90° corner at 45° slope: miter 35.3°, bevel 30°. At 38° slope (standard crown) it's miter 31.6°, bevel 33.9°. Cutting crown specifically? Use the crown molding calculator.
Miter and bevel, in plain terms
Two numbers, two motions on the saw. The miter swings the table left or right; the bevel tilts the blade away from vertical. A compound cut sets both at once, which is what any tilted-and-turned joint needs. Dial in the two values, lay the stock flat on the table the way it will sit when installed, and always confirm on a scrap offcut before your finish piece.
FAQ
+What is a compound miter?
A compound miter is a cut with two angles at once — a miter (the saw swing) and a bevel (the blade tilt). You need it whenever a piece is both turned at a corner and tilted back from vertical, like crown molding or a sloped-side box.
+What is the difference between miter and bevel?
The miter is how far the saw table swings left or right. The bevel is how far the blade itself tilts from vertical. A flat cut uses only the miter; a compound cut uses both.
+How do I find my slope or spring angle?
For crown, it is printed on the box (commonly 38° or 45°). For a sloped box or hopper, it is the angle the sides lean back from vertical. Measure it with a bevel gauge against a square if you are unsure.
+Can I do a compound cut on a single-bevel saw?
Yes, but you can only tilt the blade one direction, so you flip the workpiece for opposite-hand cuts. A dual-bevel saw tilts both ways and is faster for compound work.