Enter the number of staves (and optionally the barrel diameter and height) into the calculator to determine the edge bevel angle per side for each stave when approximating a barrel as a straight cylinder.

Barrel Stave Angle Calculator

Enter Number of Staves or Edge Bevel Angle to calculate the other. Diameter/Height are optional for reference.

Related Calculators

Barrel Stave Angle Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the edge bevel angle per side for each stave when the barrel is approximated as a straight cylindrical shell made from N identical staves.

\theta = \frac{180}{N}

Variables:

  • (theta) is the edge bevel angle per side of a stave (in degrees)
  • (N) is the number of staves
  • (D) is the barrel diameter (optional; can be used to estimate width per stave as approximately (pi·D)/N)
  • (H) is the barrel height / stave length (optional)

To calculate the edge bevel angle, divide 180 degrees by the number of staves. (The included angle between adjacent staves is 360/N degrees, so each of the two mating edges is cut at half that included angle.)

What is a Barrel Stave?

A barrel stave is one of the individual strips of wood used to form the sides of a coopered barrel. These staves are typically shaped to create the round (often slightly bulged) shape of the barrel when assembled. The angle of each stave edge is crucial to ensure a tight fit and the structural integrity of the barrel. Staves are held together by metal hoops and are essential in the construction of barrels used for storage, aging, and transportation of liquids such as wine, whiskey, and other spirits.

How to Calculate Barrel Stave Angle?

The following steps outline how to calculate the barrel stave edge bevel angle (cylindrical approximation).

  1. First, determine the number of staves ((N)).
  2. Compute the edge bevel angle using ((theta)) = 180 / (N).
  3. If desired, measure the diameter ((D)) to estimate the width per stave as approximately (pi·D)/N.
  4. Measure the height ((H)) to determine the stave length.
  5. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Number of staves ((N)) = 20

Diameter ((D)) = 24 inches

Height ((H)) = 36 inches

Edge bevel angle per side ((theta)) = 180 / 20 = 9 degrees (the included angle between adjacent staves is 360 / 20 = 18 degrees).