Whether you’re just starting out in carpentry or brushing up on your skills, understanding the language of the trade is essential. Carpentry has its own unique set of terms that every builder, apprentice, or DIY enthusiast should know.
From basic tools and materials to complex joinery techniques, this glossary of 100 carpentry terms will help you get familiar with the words and definitions you’ll hear on job sites, in training programs, or during home improvement projects.
Knowing these terms not only builds your confidence—it also helps you communicate clearly and work more efficiently.
1. Adze – A hand tool similar to an axe, used to shape and smooth wood.
2. Apron – A horizontal piece of wood beneath a window or tabletop for support or decoration.
3. Awl – A small, pointed tool used to mark wood or start holes for screws or nails.
4. Backsaw – A fine-toothed saw with a reinforced spine for precise cuts.
5. Baluster – A vertical post that supports a stair or balcony handrail.
6. Band Saw – A power saw with a long, flexible blade used for cutting curves and irregular shapes.
7. Baseboard – Trim that runs along the bottom of interior walls where they meet the floor.
8. Bevel – An angled cut made along the edge of a board or tool.
9. Biscuit Joiner – A tool that cuts slots for small wooden “biscuits” used to join two boards.
10. Blueprint – A detailed drawing or plan used to guide construction or woodworking projects.
11. Brace – A diagonal or angled support used to strengthen a frame or structure.
12. Brad Nailer – A power tool that shoots thin nails, often used for finishing trim or molding.
13. Butt Joint – A basic joint where two pieces of wood are joined end-to-end without cutting.
14. Carpenter’s Square – A tool used to check and mark perfect right angles.
15. Chisel – A sharp-edged tool used to carve, shape, or cut wood.
16. Circular Saw – A handheld power saw with a rotating round blade for straight cuts.
17. Clamps – Tools used to hold wood pieces together while glue dries or during assembly.
18. Coping Saw – A fine-toothed saw used to cut curves or detailed shapes in wood.
19. Countersink – A cone-shaped hole drilled to allow a screw head to sit flush with the wood surface.
20. Crosscut – A cut made across the wood grain, typically shorter and used to resize boards.
21. Crown Molding – Decorative trim used where walls and ceilings meet.
22. Dado – A rectangular groove cut into wood to fit another piece for joining.
23. Dovetail Joint – A strong, interlocking joint often used in drawer or cabinet construction.
24. Doweling – A technique using round wooden pins (dowels) to join two pieces of wood.
25. Drill Press – A stationary machine used to drill precise holes with consistent depth.
26. Drywall – Panels made from gypsum used to create interior walls and ceilings.
27. Fascia – A board that covers the end of roof rafters and supports gutters.
28. Featherboard – A safety accessory that holds wood against a fence or table while cutting.
29. Filler – A compound used to patch holes, cracks, or imperfections in wood.
30. Finger Joint – A joint where two pieces are cut with interlocking “fingers” to join securely.
31. Finishing – The final step of a project where paint, stain, or sealer is applied.
32. Framing – The basic structural framework of a house or building.
33. Gable – The triangular section of wall between sloping roof edges.
34. Gluing – The process of bonding wood pieces together using wood glue or adhesive.
35. Grain – The natural lines and patterns in wood caused by its growth rings.
36. Groove – A narrow, long cut made into wood, often for joints or decoration.
37. Hand Plane – A manual tool used to smooth, flatten, or shape wood surfaces.
38. Hardwood – Dense wood from deciduous trees like oak, maple, or cherry.
39. Hinge – A metal device that allows a door, lid, or panel to swing open or closed.
40. Hole Saw – A circular saw bit used to drill large, round holes.
41. Jig – A custom-made tool or guide used to control cuts and shapes with consistency.
42. Joist – A long, horizontal support beam used in floors or ceilings.
43. Kerf – The width of material removed by a saw blade during cutting.
44. Laminating – Gluing layers of wood together to form a thicker, stronger piece.
45. Level – A tool that helps ensure your work is straight and even—horizontally or vertically.
46. Mallet – A hammer-like tool with a softer head used to tap wood without damage.
47. MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) – An engineered wood product made from fibers and resin.
48. Mitre Joint – A joint made by cutting two pieces at angles (usually 45°) to form a corner.
49. Mitre Saw – A saw that cuts accurate angled and crosscuts, often used for trim.
50. Mortise – A rectangular hole or slot cut to accept a matching tenon for a strong joint.
51. Nail Set – A small tool used to push the head of a nail below the wood surface.
52. Orbital Sander – A power tool that sands wood in tiny circular motions.
53. OSB (Oriented Strand Board) – A type of plywood alternative made from wood chips and glue.
54. Panel Saw – A large saw used to cut big sheets of plywood or paneling.
55. Pilot Hole – A small hole drilled before a screw to prevent the wood from splitting.
56. Plumb – Perfectly vertical; also refers to checking vertical alignment.
57. Pocket Hole – An angled hole drilled to hide screws while joining boards.
58. Plywood – A sheet material made by gluing thin layers of wood together.
59. Rabbet – A recessed edge or groove cut into the side of a board.
60. Rafter – A roof support beam that runs from the peak to the wall plate.
61. Rip Cut – A cut made along the direction of the wood grain.
62. Router – A power tool used to hollow out or shape areas of wood.
63. Sandpaper – Paper with abrasive grit used to smooth wood surfaces.
64. Sawhorse – A sturdy frame that holds wood steady while cutting.
65. Scribing – Marking the shape of one surface onto another to make a tight fit.
66. Screwdriver – A tool used to turn screws into or out of wood.
67. Shiplap – Wooden boards that overlap at the edges, often used for walls and siding.
68. Softwood – Wood from coniferous trees like pine or fir, typically softer than hardwood.
69. Spade Bit – A flat drill bit used to bore wide holes quickly.
70. Spirit Level – A tool (often with a bubble) used to check for level surfaces.
71. Square – A tool used to measure and mark right angles accurately.
72. Stain – A liquid used to color wood while highlighting its grain.
73. Stud – A vertical support board inside a wall, part of the framing.
74. Tape Measure – A retractable ruler used for measuring lengths and spaces.
75. Tenon – A protruding end of wood designed to fit into a mortise for joining.
76. Timber – Large pieces of wood used in construction and framing.
77. Tongue and Groove – A method of fitting boards together with a tongue on one side and a groove on the other.
78. Torx – A screw head design shaped like a star, resistant to stripping.
79. Truss – A framework of beams designed to support roofs or bridges.
80. Utility Knife – A small, sharp blade used for cutting wood, cardboard, or other materials.
81. Veneer – A thin slice of high-quality wood glued to a less expensive surface.
82. Vice – A clamping tool that holds wood pieces steady while working.
83. Wall Plate – A horizontal board that sits on top of a wall and supports the roof structure.
84. Wane – A board with missing edges or bark from the outside of a tree.
85. Warp – A bend or twist in wood caused by uneven drying or moisture.
86. Worm Drive Saw – A circular saw with high torque, used for heavy-duty cutting.
87. Wrench – A tool used for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts.
88. Workbench – A strong table used for sawing, assembling, and holding woodworking projects.
89. X-Acto Knife – A fine, precision blade used for light cutting or modeling work.
90. Yardstick – A 36-inch measuring stick used for quick, accurate measurements.
91. Zinc Coating – A layer of zinc applied to nails or screws to prevent rust.
92. Zero Clearance Insert – A table saw insert that reduces tear-out by tightly surrounding the blade.
93. Z-Bar Flashing – A piece of metal used to direct water away from siding or windows.
94. Zigzag Rule – A folding ruler used before the tape measure became common.
95. Zinc Screws – Screws coated in zinc for corrosion resistance.
96. Z-Bracket – A mounting bracket shaped like a “Z” used in solar panel installations.
97. Zap Screws – Self-tapping fasteners used for metal and sometimes wood.
98. Z-Panel – A type of siding panel designed for easy interlocking.
99. Zigzag Saw – A flexible saw blade used for detailed or tight-curve cutting.
100. Zoning – Legal regulations that determine how land and buildings can be used.
The Bottom Line
Carpentry is more than just cutting wood—it’s a craft built on precision, knowledge, and the right vocabulary.
Whether you’re framing a house, installing trim, or learning how to use power tools, understanding these terms will give you a strong foundation to grow in the trade.
Keep this glossary handy as you work, study, or train—it’s a valuable resource you’ll return to again and again.
And remember, every master carpenter started by learning the basics—just like this.
