How To Cut Crown Molding

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Return to the How to Install Crown Molding page.
Visit the Crown Molding department.

How To Cut Crown Molding

Using a compound miter saw is probably the easiest way to cut your corners. If you have a compound miter saw there are 3 different ways to make each crown molding cut. The method you choose will depend on the size of the crown molding and the size of the compound miter saw. Below are the methods to help you cut your crown molding corners:


	Example shown on how to cut an outside corner when dealing with a large crown molding. Do not expect your saw to make a 100% cut...hand finish the cut after getting the correct line and angle from your miter saw. Remember to think first before making cuts. Visualize the proper angle before making the cut...the old saying "Measure twice, cut once!"

The instructions below are based on 90 degree angles, but they can be used for any angle you have by just adjusting your miter saw. To figure out he correct setting for your miter saw, measure the angle between the two walls, subtract that number from 180 degrees, and divide by 2. So, for example, on a 90 degree angle: (180-90)/2 = 45 degrees. For a 135 degree angle: (180-135)/2 = 22.5 degrees.

View our Crown Molding department or read below for tips on how to make inside and outside molding cuts. For more tips you can also visit our How To Install Crown Molding page. If you are installing a large crown molding you will want to view our instructions on Building a Miter Box.

90 Degree Inside Corner / Left Piece
Option #1:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the molding extend out to the left.
2. Move the saw angle to your right to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the molding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw pressed up against the fence. The edge of the molding that will touch the wall should be facing away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #2:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. Move the saw angle to your right to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #3: (you would only use this option if you have a compound saw that would let you do a bevel on the molding)
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your left.
2. The miter angle should be 0 and the bevel angel should be set to 45.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your wall and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the wall flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

90 Degree Inside Corner / Right Piece
Option #1:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. Move the saw angle to your left to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw pressed up against the fence. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be facing away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #2:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to the left.
2. Move the saw angle to your left to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #3: (you would only use this option if you have a compound saw that would let you do a bevel on the molding)
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your left.
2. The miter angle should be 0 and the bevel angel should be set to 45.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your wall and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the wall flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling should point away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

90 Degree Outside Corner / Left Piece
Option #1:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to the left.
2. Move the saw angle to your left to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw pressed up against the fence. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be facing away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #2:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. Move the saw angle to your left to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #3: (you would only use this option if you have a compound saw that would let you do a bevel on the molding)
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. The miter angle should be 0 and the bevel angel should be set to 45.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your wall and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the wall flat against the base of the saw pressed up against the fence. The edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling should be facing away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

90 Degree Outside Corner / Right Piece
Option #1:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. Move the saw angle to your right to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw pressed up against the fence. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be facing away from the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #2:
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to the left.
2. Move the saw angle to your right to the 45 degree mark.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your ceiling and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the wall should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

Option #3: (you would only use this option if you have a compound saw that would let you do a bevel on the molding)
1. When you are at your miter saw have the long part of the moulding extend out to your right.
2. The miter angle should be 0 and the bevel angel should be set to 45.
3. Imagine that the base of the saw is your wall and put the edge of the moulding that will touch the wall flat against the base of the saw. The edge of the moulding that will touch the ceiling should be flat against the fence if you have it in the correct position.
4. Make your cut.

View our Crown Molding department or for more tips you can also visit our How To Install Crown Moulding page.

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