{
  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
  "slug": "captured-back-panel-calculator",
  "route": "/tools/components/captured-back-panel-calculator/",
  "categorySlug": "shelves-and-backs",
  "name": "Captured Back Panel",
  "title": "Captured Back Panel Calculator",
  "description": "Plan a captured cabinet back from the clear opening, groove engagement on four edges, total fit clearance, and measured back thickness.",
  "searchIntent": "captured cabinet back panel cut list calculator",
  "modelVersion": "1.0.0",
  "reviewedDate": "2026-07-30",
  "defaultInputs": {
    "insideWidth": 28.5,
    "insideHeight": 33,
    "sideGrooveDepth": 0.25,
    "topBottomGrooveDepth": 0.25,
    "fitClearance": 0.0625,
    "backThickness": 0.25,
    "panelCount": 1
  },
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "insideWidth",
      "label": "Clear rear opening width",
      "default": 28.5,
      "min": 3,
      "max": 144,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Clear width between the inner groove-entry reference faces."
    },
    {
      "id": "insideHeight",
      "label": "Clear rear opening height",
      "default": 33,
      "min": 3,
      "max": 120,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Clear height between the inner groove-entry reference faces."
    },
    {
      "id": "sideGrooveDepth",
      "label": "Side groove depth",
      "default": 0.25,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 1.5,
      "step": 0.03125,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Verified engagement into each side groove."
    },
    {
      "id": "topBottomGrooveDepth",
      "label": "Top and bottom groove depth",
      "default": 0.25,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 1.5,
      "step": 0.03125,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Verified engagement into both top and bottom grooves."
    },
    {
      "id": "fitClearance",
      "label": "Total fit clearance",
      "default": 0.0625,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 1,
      "step": 0.03125,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Total deduction across each full panel dimension, not a per-edge value."
    },
    {
      "id": "backThickness",
      "label": "Back thickness",
      "default": 0.25,
      "min": 0.0625,
      "max": 1.5,
      "step": 0.03125,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Measured panel thickness matched to the production groove width."
    },
    {
      "id": "panelCount",
      "label": "Panel quantity",
      "default": 1,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 24,
      "step": 1,
      "unit": "count",
      "help": "Count of identical captured backs in one verified construction group."
    }
  ],
  "formulas": [
    {
      "part": "Captured back panel",
      "quantity": "panelCount",
      "length": "insideHeight + 2 * topBottomGrooveDepth - fitClearance",
      "width": "insideWidth + 2 * sideGrooveDepth - fitClearance",
      "thickness": "backThickness",
      "formulaNote": "The blank adds engagement into four grooves and deducts one total clearance from each overall dimension."
    }
  ],
  "defaultParts": [
    {
      "name": "Captured back panel",
      "quantity": 1,
      "length": 33.4375,
      "width": 28.9375,
      "thickness": 0.25,
      "materialGroup": "Cabinet back panel",
      "grain": "Project-specified orientation",
      "formulaNote": "The blank adds engagement into four grooves and deducts one total clearance from each overall dimension."
    }
  ],
  "assumptions": [
    "Opposing side grooves have equal engagement and opposing top and bottom grooves have equal engagement.",
    "Fit clearance is a total deduction from each completed panel dimension, not a deduction at every edge.",
    "All modeled backs share the same opening, groove setup, material lot, grain, finish, and assembly sequence.",
    "This is a reviewable planning model, not a universal cabinetmaking standard; the shop drawing, approved sample, field dimensions, and contract documents remain authoritative.",
    "Manufacturer hardware dimensions, load ratings, fastener schedules, edge distances, and drilling requirements govern whenever hardware is involved."
  ],
  "checks": [
    "Confirm groove-bottom dimensions minus the stated total clearance reproduce the calculated panel dimensions.",
    "Verify actual back thickness fits the production groove without forcing, rattle, damage, or blocked movement.",
    "Check the panel can enter every groove in the planned assembly sequence and still permit the carcass to square.",
    "Measure the actual sheet, board, or panel thickness from the material lot and reconcile it with every mating groove, dado, fastener, and hardware allowance.",
    "Build or dry-fit the first assembly, record the verified result, and release the remaining batch only under the same model revision."
  ],
  "stopConditions": [
    "Stop when the groove setup, corner geometry, panel movement, glue strategy, or assembly order has not been tested.",
    "Stop when the back is expected to brace, carry, or transfer load without an approved material and joint design.",
    "Stop when the exact hardware product, current manufacturer data, or required attachment method is unresolved; do not substitute a generic allowance.",
    "Stop when field dimensions, actual material thickness, grain requirement, or model revision cannot be verified before batch cutting."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "name": "ANSI/AWI 1235-2024 – Specialty Casework",
      "url": "https://awinet.org/standards/specialty-casework/requirements-specialty-casework/3-2-material-6/",
      "scope": "Primary industry standard used here for casework material, component, and hardware-planning context. Its published scope is specialty casework; it does not set universal residential cabinet dimensions or replace project documents."
    },
    {
      "name": "USDA Forest Products Laboratory – Wood Handbook, Chapter 11",
      "url": "https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr282/chapter_11_fpl_gtr282.pdf",
      "scope": "Primary government reference for wood-based composite material characteristics. It supports material-behavior checks, not project-specific span, load, machining, or fastening approval."
    }
  ]
}