What size pocket screw do I need?

It follows the material thickness, not the joint — 3/4" stock, the most common cabinet-grade thickness, takes a 1 1/4" screw. Thinner material takes a shorter screw so the tip doesn't poke through the far face; thicker material takes a longer one so enough thread actually engages.

Coarse thread or fine thread?

Coarse thread for softwood, plywood and MDF — the wider flutes grip open, less dense material better. Fine thread for hardwood, where coarse threads can act like a wedge and split the piece instead of gripping it.

How far apart should pocket holes be along an edge joint?

About every 6" to 8" is the common rule of thumb for an edge-to-edge glue-up, close enough that the joint doesn't gap between screws under clamping pressure. That's the same problem as spacing fence posts along a run — the fewest holes that keep every gap at or under the maximum, spread evenly rather than left short at one end.

Pocket hole screw calculator

Enter your material's thickness and type. This reads off the pocket screw length and thread a Kreg-style jig calls for, and how far apart to space the holes along an edge-to-edge glue-up, with a true-size spacer below.

Material thickness

= 0.75"

Material

Pocket screw

1 1/4"

Thread

Coarse

Holes along an edge-to-edge joint

Joint length

Max spacing

6-8in is the common rule of thumb

Pocket holes: 7
Actual spacing: 8"

Spacing gauge, at true size

Not the whole joint — this pitch repeats, so a spacer beats measuring every mark by hand. Print at 100%, check the ruler, then cut a scrap to this length.

Check this first

Put a tape on the printed ruler. If it does not read exactly 6 inches, the print was scaled — set the print dialog to 100% or “Actual size” and print it again. Do not cut wood from a template that failed this.

One hole-to-hole spacing — piece 1 of 2, 0" to 4" across the strip

Cut a scrap to this length and use it as a spacer to mark each pocket hole off the last one. Trim on the orange line and butt this piece to the next one — the marks either side of the join have to line up before you drill anything.

One hole-to-hole spacing — piece 2 of 2, 4" to 8" across the strip

Printing this properly

In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% or “Actual size” and turn off “Fit to page”. Measure the printed ruler with a tape before you trust the spacing.

Where to buy this

7 × 1 1/4" coarse-thread screwsHome Depot Lowe's Amazon

Pocket screws are their own thread and head — a decking screw the same length will not seat in the pocket.

Plain search links, nothing sponsored. Prices and stock are the shop's, and a local lumberyard will usually beat both on solid stock.

Worked example: 3/4" plywood

3/4" plywood takes 1 1/4" pocket screws with a coarse thread.

Along a 48" edge-to-edge joint with holes no more than 8" apart, that is 7 pocket holes at 8" spacing.

Screw length: 1 1/4"
Thread: Coarse
Pocket holes: 7
Spacing: 8"

These are the figures the calculator above opens on. Change any field and it works the same problem for your numbers.

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About pocket screws

What size pocket screw do I need?: It follows the material thickness, not the joint — 3/4" stock, the most common cabinet-grade thickness, takes a 1 1/4" screw. Thinner material takes a shorter screw so the tip doesn't poke through the far face; thicker material takes a longer one so enough thread actually engages.
Coarse thread or fine thread?: Coarse thread for softwood, plywood and MDF — the wider flutes grip open, less dense material better. Fine thread for hardwood, where coarse threads can act like a wedge and split the piece instead of gripping it.
How far apart should pocket holes be along an edge joint?: About every 6" to 8" is the common rule of thumb for an edge-to-edge glue-up, close enough that the joint doesn't gap between screws under clamping pressure. That's the same problem as spacing fence posts along a run — the fewest holes that keep every gap at or under the maximum, spread evenly rather than left short at one end.