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Calculate crown molding materials, compound miter angles, and spring angles for perfect installation. Get accurate material estimates, corner cuts, and pricing for your project.
0.0 ft + 0.0 ft waste
Angle from wall to ceiling
Add waste percentage for cuts, corners, and mistakes. Standard waste: 15-20%
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Crown molding is decorative trim installed where walls meet the ceiling. It adds elegance and visual interest to a room by creating a smooth transition between vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Unlike flat trim, crown molding is installed at an angle (called the spring angle), creating a distinctive profile that projects from both the wall and ceiling. This angled installation requires special compound miter cuts at corners.
Common Crown Molding Angles:
Follow these steps to calculate crown molding:
Room: 15 ft × 12 ft
Perimeter = 2 × (15 + 12) = 54 ft
Waste (15%) = 54 × 0.15 = 8.1 ft
Total = 54 + 8.1 = 62.1 ft
Pieces (8ft) = 62.1 ÷ 8 = 8 pieces
At $2.50/ft: 62.1 × $2.50 = $155.25
The spring angle is the angle between the back of the crown molding and the wall. Common spring angles are 38°, 45°, and 52°.
Spring Angle = 90° - Crown Angle
Corner cuts require both miter and bevel angles. These depend on the spring angle and corner type (inside or outside).
| Spring Angle | Miter | Bevel |
|---|---|---|
| 38° | 31.6° | 33.9° |
| 45° | 35.3° | 30.0° |
| 52° | 38.9° | 26.4° |
There are two main methods for cutting crown molding corners:
Lay the molding flat on the saw table and use compound miter angles.
Hold molding upside-down at spring angle against fence.
The most common crown molding angle is 38°, also known as 38/52 crown (38° spring angle from the wall, 52° from the ceiling). This is standard in most residential applications.
Measure the perimeter of your room (2 × length + 2 × width), add 15-20% for waste from cuts and mistakes, then divide by your piece length (typically 8, 10, or 12 feet) and round up.
A compound miter cut involves angling the blade in two directions: the miter angle (horizontal rotation) and the bevel angle (blade tilt). This is necessary for crown molding corners because the molding sits at an angle.
Inside corners are where two walls meet inward (typical room corners). Outside corners are where walls meet outward (like around a chimney or column). The miter angles are opposite for each type.
Yes, but a compound miter saw is recommended. Regular miter saws can cut crown using the nested method (holding molding upside-down), while compound miter saws can cut it flat with precise bevel and miter angles.
Add 15-20% waste for typical installations. This accounts for corner cuts, mistakes, and damaged pieces. For complex rooms with many corners or cathedral ceilings, add 20-25%.
Crown molding size depends on ceiling height. For 8-foot ceilings, use 3-4 inch crown. For 9-foot ceilings, use 4-6 inch crown. For 10+ foot ceilings, use 6-8 inch crown or larger.
Coping (cutting the profile) is recommended for inside corners as it provides a tighter fit than miter cuts. The first piece is square-cut into the corner, and subsequent pieces are coped to fit the profile.
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