Wood Joinery & Joints
How the common woodworking joints work, why their geometry resists load, and where each one is actually used.
What a joint is doing
A wood joint is the point where two or more pieces meet and connect. What makes joints interesting is that they are not all doing the same job. Some joints are built to resist being pulled apart, others to register two parts at a fixed angle, and still others to align panels edge to edge.
The shape of the joint, the way it contacts the wood grain, and the adhesive or fastener used all combine to decide how a connection behaves.
Why shape matters more than the name
A dovetail interlocks mechanically, so it holds even if glue weakens. A butt joint has no interlock at all — it relies almost entirely on adhesive, fasteners, or surrounding structure. Between those extremes sit joints that add glue surface area, mechanical alignment, or both.
That spectrum is the practical way to compare joints: how much mechanical interlock and how much glue surface does the geometry create?
Strength is always conditional
No joint is universally the strongest. Real performance depends on wood species, grain direction, joint fit, adhesive, workmanship, and the direction the load is applied. A well-fitted dowel joint can outperform a sloppy mortise and tenon.
The pages in this section explain how each joint works and what it is best at, while staying honest about what changes the result.