What is Dado Cut?

A dado cut creates a rectangular channel in the face of a board, running across the grain. Shelves in bookcases and cabinets sit in dados, which hold them square and resist lateral movement better than butt joints alone.

Dado vs. groove vs. rabbet. Three similar cuts are easy to confuse. A dado runs across the grain. A groove runs with the grain. A rabbet is an L-shaped step on the edge. All three are flat-bottomed channels, but their orientation and position differ.

Depth and width. Dado cut depth should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch in 3/4-inch stock. The rule of thumb: cut between 1/3 and 1/2 of the board's thickness. Never exceed half. Width should match the thickness of the board that slots into it.

Two types. A through dado runs from edge to edge and is visible from the front. A stopped (blind) dado stops before reaching one or both edges, hiding the joint for a cleaner look.

Tools. A table saw with a stacked dado blade set is the fastest method. A router with a straight bit and edge guide works for stopped dados where the table saw cannot reach. Dado blade sets cut widths from 1/4 to 13/16 inch by combining chippers and outer blades.

In the cut list workflow, dado cut locations affect part dimensions. The shelf must match the channel width precisely, so measure your actual plywood thickness (typically 23/32 inch, not 3/4 inch as labeled). SmartCutList tracks dado joints in your cut list, so you know the exact shelf widths and positions before you set up the blade.