Peg Rail Spacing Calculator & Shaker Shelf Planner

A peg rail is one of the simplest and most useful things you can build for an entry, mudroom or kitchen. The fiddly part is the layout — this planner gives you the peg count and every center mark.

Peg rail spacing calculator

Peg count, exact center marks and rail height.

Enter the length of your board, the spacing you would like and how far from each end the first and last pegs should sit. The planner rounds to a whole number of pegs and spreads them evenly, then lists each center measured from the left end so you can mark them in one pass.

Spacing of 8 to 12 inches works for coats and bags; 5 to 6 inches suits mugs, aprons or kids' things. Mount the top of an adult rail around 60 to 66 inches from the floor, and a kids' rail around 40 to 48 inches.

Before drilling, check the tenon diameter on your pegs (common sizes are 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch) and use a matching bit with a depth stop. Glue the pegs in, and screw the rail into studs.

How it works

Usable length = board length minus both end margins.
Peg count = usable length divided by your target spacing, rounded down, plus one.
Actual spacing = usable length divided by the gaps between pegs.
Stud count assumes 16-inch on-center framing.

Questions, answered

How far apart should Shaker pegs be?

Most peg rails space pegs 8 to 12 inches apart for coats and bags. Closer spacing of 5 to 6 inches works for mugs, utensils or small items.

How high should a peg rail be?

For adults, put the top of the rail around 60 to 66 inches off the floor. For kids, 40 to 48 inches. Traditional Shaker rails ran around the whole room at about 6 feet.

What wood is best for a peg rail?

Poplar is easy to paint and inexpensive; oak or maple pegs are tough. A 1x4 or 1x5 board gives enough height for pegs and a small shelf on top.

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Peg Rail Spacing Calculator