How Much Space Need for Miter Saw?

A miter is a wide-range cutting tool. It is used for crosscuts, miter cuts, and bevel cuts mainly. When a miter saw is used, we must consider about space that we have to reserve for that. If your workshop has limited space, you must manage it all. So let’s see how much space is needed for the miter saw and how to manage it properly.

Miter saw needs space covered by 120″ in length, 40″ in height, and 30″ in width from your workshop. In order to optimize and save space, you can use folding wings as support. Some miter saw tables are portable and can easily transport and use in the workshop.

When placing a miter saw in the workplace there are many things to be considered. In this guide, you can find all in details about the miter saw spacing and things you should consider when you are designing a miter saw station. So let’s keep reading on!

How Much Length Need for a Miter Saw?

miter saw station dimension
Essential space of miter saw station

Normally miter saw needs 120″ of length to support the workpiece.

When a miter saw is used without a table or station, its performance can be limited. Because it has a limited table length. But using a miter saw on the table will gain more performance and wider usage. In order to use the miter saw table in a wide range, a lengthy table is needed.

Miter saw space will depend on the types of miter saws. Due to some mechanism of some types need more space.

According to the workpiece, a lengthy table should be designed. Imagine you are making windows. Those will not cut more than 5 feet. So it is better to create the table saw deck with 5 feet length for one side. So total length will be more than 10 feet, and it will make it easy to handle the workpiece.

Sometimes, you can find folded or sliding base extensions. These extensions can support, to a certain extent the workpiece. But it is not much strength. So I recommend you create a miter saw table.

Miter saw workpieces are mostly 4×4, 2×4, 1×12, 2×12, etc. But length is not limited. Normally using a 120″ length of the table can handle the 10 feet workpiece. When we think about the miter saw deck, we must pay attention to the fence also.

The fence is vertical support to the workpiece. The fence is also essential for the same length of the table. It is better to keep the same length for both the left side and right sides of the miter saw station.

A longer miter saw station will reduce cutting problems such as chipping the wood, smoking the workpiece, and burnings due to proper workpiece placement.

How Much Height is Need for a Miter Saw?

Miter saw deck height depends on the user’s height and its parts and functions. Every time, we must work with comfort. Normally, miter saw deck height should be 30″-36″. The deck should not be taller or shorter. If the deck is taller, you will not clearly visible the cutting path and operate the miter saw properly.

If it is shorter, you will have to overbend and work. Both are affected negatively to your health.

When we consider the miter saw height, we have to think about two things.

H1 – Floor to lower deck height
H2 – Plate to kerf surface height.

When considering the miter saw height, we must consider both. H1 and H2.

What is the Recommended Miter Saw Height for Users?

According to the user height, the miter saw station height should be selected as below.

User Height (ft/in)Recommended
Miter Saw Table Height (in)
5 ft27 inches
5 ft 2 inches29 inches
5 ft 4 inches31 inches
5 ft 6 inches33 inches
5 ft 8 inches36 inches
5 ft 10 inches37 inches
6 ft38 inches
6 ft 2 inches40 inches
6 ft 4 inches42 inches
6 ft 6 inches44 inches
6 ft 8 inches46 inches
6 ft 10 inches48 inches
User Height and Miter Saw Height Table

** If your height is with odd inches, take the lower table height for your design.

Ex –
User height – 6 ft 3 inches
Bench height – 40 inches

miter saw station
Miter Saw Station with Suitable Length

How Much Width is Need for a Miter Saw?

Normally miter saw a need 24-30 inches width for its working space.

Miter saw has kerf space. That is the maximum width of the workpiece to be cut. If you use a sliding miter saw, you can see the slider is a railing, and it takes much space behind the miter saw. So if you wish to keep the miter saw near the wall, think about this matter twice. You will not be able to slide it if you keep it closer to the wall.

Sometimes, you may think to build a box to keep the miter saw on the table. When you create such a box, take the R1 (check above image) distance for the center to maximum kerf space and take the maximum sliding capacity. Select the longer distance among them and take it twice as the width of the miter saw table. Normally it will be 30″-36″. It will not raise problems when you use the tool.

How to Optimze Miter Saw Space?

This is very important. If we can optimize the space as much as possible we can save and reuse that space for another purpose. Normally miter saw station needs support and deck. When the support is made with wood. You can see some space under the table. We can use that space easily as a storage compartment. You can create a nice rack or set of drawers under the miter saw station. This can store your tools and other equipment.

But you must worry about the sawdust. Sawdust can spread everywhere. If you can’t close and seal the area you can see dust has spread everywhere. This can be done for both left and right sides. Using a miter saw is always a vibrating task. So do not store any liquid in these racks.

You can also see free space on the table. It is covered by the fence, box, and wall. The upper support can also be used as a rack or drawer. You must keep the minimum height as H3. It is the height when the miter saw has maximum height without pulling down.

Miter saw optimized station
Miter Saw Space Optimizing

Is Folding Miter Saw Worth It?

Normally, you can design wings as they can be folded. But this is not worth it. Because there is bending on the wings. So you will need additional support for this. If you wish to use a miter saw in any place, this is a great solution. This kind of design will require less space, and it is easy to transport. But leveling and wings bending are the disadvantages.

Is Slider Miter Saw Save The Space?

Normally, a slider miter saw will not save space. It will require space for the rails. But articulating hinge miter saws will save space. There is a hinge mechanism; because of this, articulating hinge miter saw will not require more space behind the miter saw. So it is a great solution for using the articulating hinge miter saw to save space.

Can a Miter Saw Stand Save the Space?

The miter saw stand can save space due to its portability and folding wings. Miter saw stands had been designed strongly as they can be used in any surface. So it is a wise idea to invest in the miter saw stand if you are an outdoor worker.


Tom Mackency

Tom Mackency

Hi, I am Tom Mackency. It has been 10 years that I have been working as a professional woodworker since 2013. I am really enjoying my carrier by creating many kinds of projects in my workshop. But mostly I like for home improvement projects. Home improvement and DIY projects are the most interesting things for me. More than that, the coolest things are power tools. Those are very precious and efficient than a decade ago. So I try to introduce so many things about power tools, woodworking, DIY projects, home improvement and many more interesting topics here.


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