Question

I want to make four legs for a 12” diameter table top. Where do I center each leg?

Answer 1

I can do that — a couple quick questions first so I give positions you can use on your shop drawing:

- Are the legs round or square, and what are their nominal width/diameter?
- How far (if at all) do you want the legs inset from the table edge?

If you just want a general rule: place the four legs symmetrically 90° apart on a circle centered on the table center. The distance from the table center to each leg center =

radius of tabletop − desired inset from the edge − (half the leg width).

For a 12" diameter top the tabletop radius R = 6". So:

- Example A — legs centered right at the edge (not recommended): distance = 6" (but the leg will overhang half its width).
- Example B — round legs 1.5" diameter, inset 0.5" from edge: distance = 6 − 0.5 − 0.75 = 4.75".
Leg center coordinates (x,y) with table center = (0,0): (4.75,0), (0,4.75), (−4.75,0), (0,−4.75).
- Example C — if you prefer the legs arranged toward the “corners” (square rotated 45°): use the same distance d from center but place them at (d/√2, d/√2), (−d/√2, d/√2), (−d/√2, −d/√2), (d/√2, −d/√2).

Practical tips:
- Don’t place the leg center closer than half the leg width + 1/4" to the edge to avoid splitting or weak attachment.
- Mark the center of the top, draw a circle of the calculated distance, and mark four points 90° apart. Use a square or protractor to locate 0°/90° lines.
- Confirm mounting hardware (plate location) fits within the leg footprint.

Tell me leg size and desired inset and I’ll give the exact coordinates/marks to lay out.