{
  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
  "slug": "face-frame-cut-list-calculator",
  "route": "/tools/components/face-frame-cut-list-calculator/",
  "categorySlug": "cabinet-structure",
  "name": "Face Frame",
  "title": "Face Frame Cut List Calculator",
  "description": "Plan face-frame stiles and rails from the cabinet envelope, member widths, and opening layout while preserving an auditable first-piece release.",
  "searchIntent": "face frame cut list calculator",
  "modelVersion": "1.0.0",
  "reviewedDate": "2026-07-30",
  "defaultInputs": {
    "cabinetWidth": 30,
    "cabinetHeight": 34.5,
    "stileWidth": 1.5,
    "railWidth": 1.5,
    "materialThickness": 0.75,
    "openingCount": 2,
    "middleRailCount": 1
  },
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "cabinetWidth",
      "label": "Cabinet outside width",
      "default": 30,
      "min": 6,
      "max": 120,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Finished cabinet width at the face-frame reference plane."
    },
    {
      "id": "cabinetHeight",
      "label": "Cabinet outside height",
      "default": 34.5,
      "min": 6,
      "max": 120,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Full face-frame height before any project-specific scribe or installation trimming."
    },
    {
      "id": "stileWidth",
      "label": "Stile width",
      "default": 1.5,
      "min": 0.5,
      "max": 12,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Finished width of both outer and intermediate vertical members."
    },
    {
      "id": "railWidth",
      "label": "Rail width",
      "default": 1.5,
      "min": 0.5,
      "max": 12,
      "step": 0.0625,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Finished width of top, bottom, and intermediate horizontal members."
    },
    {
      "id": "materialThickness",
      "label": "Frame stock thickness",
      "default": 0.75,
      "min": 0.25,
      "max": 3,
      "step": 0.03125,
      "unit": "in",
      "help": "Measured finished thickness of the prepared face-frame stock."
    },
    {
      "id": "openingCount",
      "label": "Opening columns",
      "default": 2,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 12,
      "step": 1,
      "unit": "count",
      "help": "Number of horizontal opening columns; one fewer intermediate stile is planned."
    },
    {
      "id": "middleRailCount",
      "label": "Intermediate rails",
      "default": 1,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 12,
      "step": 1,
      "unit": "count",
      "help": "Count of intermediate rails; set the actual approved layout rather than inferring drawer positions."
    }
  ],
  "formulas": [
    {
      "part": "Outer stile",
      "quantity": "2",
      "length": "cabinetHeight",
      "width": "stileWidth",
      "thickness": "materialThickness",
      "formulaNote": "Outer stiles run the full cabinet height in this planning model."
    },
    {
      "part": "Top and bottom rail",
      "quantity": "2",
      "length": "cabinetWidth - 2 * stileWidth",
      "width": "railWidth",
      "thickness": "materialThickness",
      "formulaNote": "Rails fit between full-height outer stiles; joinery shoulders, tenons, or pocket-screw setbacks are not added automatically."
    },
    {
      "part": "Intermediate stile",
      "quantity": "openingCount - 1",
      "length": "cabinetHeight - 2 * railWidth",
      "width": "stileWidth",
      "thickness": "materialThickness",
      "formulaNote": "The model adds one fewer intermediate stile than opening columns, so a single opening correctly produces no intermediate stile."
    },
    {
      "part": "Intermediate rail",
      "quantity": "middleRailCount",
      "length": "cabinetWidth - 2 * stileWidth",
      "width": "railWidth",
      "thickness": "materialThickness",
      "formulaNote": "Intermediate rails use the clear width between outer stiles; split openings and joint extensions require a project-specific revision."
    }
  ],
  "defaultParts": [
    {
      "name": "Outer stile",
      "quantity": 2,
      "length": 34.5,
      "width": 1.5,
      "thickness": 0.75,
      "materialGroup": "Face-frame stock",
      "grain": "Lengthwise",
      "formulaNote": "Outer stiles run the full cabinet height in this planning model."
    },
    {
      "name": "Top and bottom rail",
      "quantity": 2,
      "length": 27,
      "width": 1.5,
      "thickness": 0.75,
      "materialGroup": "Face-frame stock",
      "grain": "Lengthwise",
      "formulaNote": "Rails fit between full-height outer stiles; joinery shoulders, tenons, or pocket-screw setbacks are not added automatically."
    },
    {
      "name": "Intermediate stile",
      "quantity": 1,
      "length": 31.5,
      "width": 1.5,
      "thickness": 0.75,
      "materialGroup": "Face-frame stock",
      "grain": "Lengthwise",
      "formulaNote": "The model adds one fewer intermediate stile than opening columns, so a single opening correctly produces no intermediate stile."
    },
    {
      "name": "Intermediate rail",
      "quantity": 1,
      "length": 27,
      "width": 1.5,
      "thickness": 0.75,
      "materialGroup": "Face-frame stock",
      "grain": "Lengthwise",
      "formulaNote": "Intermediate rails use the clear width between outer stiles; split openings and joint extensions require a project-specific revision."
    }
  ],
  "assumptions": [
    "Outer stiles run full height and all listed rails fit between those stiles.",
    "Intermediate stiles fit between the top and bottom rails; alternate joint stacks require edited formulas.",
    "Joinery extensions are excluded because mortise-and-tenon, cope-and-stick, dowel, biscuit, and pocket-screw workflows do not share one allowance.",
    "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 rail lengths plus two stile widths reproduce the approved cabinet width.",
    "Check intermediate-member centerlines against door, drawer, hinge, slide, and appliance clearances.",
    "Verify the clamped frame is square by comparing diagonals and confirming the required cabinet reveal.",
    "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 face-frame joint type or required joint extension is not yet selected.",
    "Stop when the opening elevation conflicts with hinge cups, drawer slides, pullouts, or appliance clearances.",
    "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."
    }
  ]
}