What thickness blank do I need for relief carving?

A reliable rule of thumb is to make the blank at least twice the relief depth — keep the carving within the top half of the board so at least as much uncarved wood remains below the deepest point. That backing stops the panel warping or cupping. For a 15mm medium relief, use a blank around 35mm thick; for a 25mm relief, around 55mm. This calculator takes the larger of (relief depth + 10mm background + 5mm waste) and (2 × relief depth + 5mm waste).

What is the best wood for relief carving?

Lime (linden) is the traditional choice for relief carving in Europe - it is soft, even-grained, and holds fine detail. Jelutong and basswood are also excellent. For harder, more durable carvings, use cherry or walnut. Avoid open-grained woods like oak for fine detail.

What is the difference between low and high relief?

Low relief (bas-relief) has a depth of 10mm or less with forms barely projecting from the background. Medium relief is 10-25mm with clearly defined forms. High relief (alto-relief) is 25mm+ where figures may be nearly fully rounded and undercut.

Should I add a border around my relief carving?

A border of 15-25mm around the carving provides a visual frame and gives you material to clamp to during carving. The border can be left flat, moulded, or carved with a decorative edge. Always start with a blank larger than the final design.

WoodCalcs

Relief Carving Calculator — Blank Dimensions for Relief

Calculate wood blank dimensions and depth for relief carving panels.

Wood SpeciesCarvability/grain — lime & basswood hold the finest detail; oak is open-grained, avoid for fine work (informational, does not change blank size)

Relief TypeLow ≤10mm, medium 10–25mm, high 25mm+ — sets the wood-removal % estimate

Panel Length

Longest dimension of the area

Panel Width

Shortest dimension of the area

Relief Depth

How far the highest detail projects above the background (the carving depth), in mm — not the board thickness

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the blank dimensions needed for a relief carving panel.

Blank sizing

Blank thickness = the greater of (relief depth + 10mm background + 5mm waste) and (2 × relief depth + 5mm waste)

The second term enforces the woodcarving “50% rule”: keep the carving in the top half of the board so at least as much uncarved wood remains below the deepest cut, which resists warping and cupping. For a 15mm relief the rule gives 35mm; for a 25mm relief it gives 55mm.

Blank size = Panel dimensions + 40mm (20mm border each side)

Volume estimate

The volume of wood to remove is estimated as a percentage of the total relief area: low relief ~40%, medium ~60%, high ~75%.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify measurements and material quantities before cutting or purchasing.