V-carve depth calculator
A V-bit cuts deeper the wider the line. Enter the widest stroke in your lettering or design and the bit angle to see how deep it goes, and check it against your material.
How to use this calculator
A V-bit is a cone. When it carves a line, the width of the line at the surface depends on how deep the tip goes, which is why V-carving can make crisp, sharp-cornered lettering with a single tool. The geometry is a right triangle:
Depth = (line width ÷ 2) ÷ tan(bit angle ÷ 2)
Example: a 0.5 in wide stroke with a 60° bit: 0.25 ÷ tan(30°) = 0.25 ÷ 0.577, about 0.43 in deep. The same stroke with a 90° bit is 0.25 ÷ tan(45°) = 0.25 in deep. A sharper bit (30°, 60°) carves deeper for the same width and gives dramatic shadows; a wider bit (90°, 120°) stays shallow, which helps with big lettering on thin stock.
Why check it: the widest part of your design sets the deepest point of the carve. Bold fonts on 1/2 in plywood can go through the top veneer into the glue layer, and on thin stock they can cut straight through. VCarve-style software lets you set a flat depth: the V-bit stops at that depth and a flat-bottom pass clears the middle, keeping sharp edges without going too deep.
The widest-line rows run the formula backwards: width = 2 × depth × tan(angle ÷ 2). Use them to choose a font weight before you design the sign. Want someone else to carve it? Post the sign and compare quotes from makers.
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Questions about this calculator
Which V-bit angle is best for signs?
60° and 90° are the most common for lettering. 60° gives deeper, more dramatic carving; 90° stays shallower and suits large letters or thinner boards.
What is a flat depth in V-carving?
A depth limit. The V-bit stops at that depth and a flat end mill clears the wide areas, so bold shapes don't carve too deep while the edges stay sharp.