Go4Wood
PricingSign InGet Started
Sign In
  1. Home
  2. Glossary
  3. Mortise
Go4WoodGo4Wood

The craft community for makers — learn, build, share, and shop.

Learn

WorkshopsTutorials

Build

Build PlansScrap FinderProject EstimatorCost TrackerCut List PlannerCalculators

Community

ForumsGalleryEventsMembers

Shop

MarketplaceStore LocatorSpecies Database

Account

PricingSign InGet StartedDashboard

Company

AboutContactHelp & Support
© 2026 Go4Wood
TermsPrivacyRefunds
The Craft Community
  • Learn
  • Build
  • Community
  • Shop
    Glossary
    Joinery

    Mortise

    Definition

    A rectangular hole cut into one piece to receive a matching tenon from another. The female half of the strongest traditional joint in furniture.

    In use

    Cut the mortise first, then fit the tenon to it.

    Related Terms

    Tenon

    A projecting tongue cut on the end of one piece, sized to fit a matching mortise. The male half of a mortise-and-tenon joint.

    Drawbore

    A traditional technique where a peg is driven through a tenon and into the mortise at a slight offset, pulling the shoulders tight permanently without clamps.

    Mortise Gauge

    A marking gauge with two adjustable pins, used to score two parallel lines simultaneously for laying out mortises and tenons.