mitred

Mitred is a woodworking term describing a joint formed by cutting the ends of two pieces at an angle so they fit together at a corner. The most common form is a 45-degree cut on each piece to produce a 90-degree corner, used in picture frames, mouldings, and door or window casings. The term can describe either the cut itself or the resulting joint.

In carpentry, mitred joints can be inside or outside corners. An inside mitre forms a corner within the frame; an outside mitre forms an external corner. Mitred joints require precise angle control; poor cuts result in gaps and misalignment, which may be hidden with fills or careful sanding.

Methods and tools: A miter saw or a miter box with a backsaw is used to produce accurate angles. Advanced joints include compound mitres, where the cut angle is combined with a bevel to accommodate angled surfaces, such as crown molding on walls. Coping joints may be used for inside corners of frames to disguise gaps when the frame is assembled from multiple pieces.

Etymology and usage: The spelling varies by dialect. In British English, mitre and mitred are common; in American English, miter and mitered are common. The concept is equivalent across dialects, and the term is widely used in carpentry, cabinetry, and framing.

See also: Miter joint, Miter saw, Crown molding.