How to Toenail Wood

Co-authored by Garrett Faust

Last Updated: January 30, 2024

Toenailing is driving a nail at an angle through a board. It is an essential carpentry skill. Toenailing not only makes a strong joint but also is a great way to coax stubborn boards into position. Once you master a few tricks for positioning and driving the nails and get some practice under your belt, it’ll be as easy as regular nailing.

Steps

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Start the nail by tapping it about 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) straight in, not at an angle. Position the board about 1/4 inch from your mark so the nail will drive it to the right spot.
Then let go and drive it in. Brace your toe against the back of the board as you set the nail. It’s okay if the board moves slightly past the layout line. Driving a toenail requires greater hammer control and precision than regular nailing. Hold the hammer at the end of the handle with a firm but relaxed grip. Swing from your elbow with a little wrist snap at the end of the stroke for extra oomph. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about leaving hammer marks when you’re rough framing walls and floors. As the nail gets close to fully driven, adjust your swing ever so slightly away from you so the face of the hammer will contact the nail head off center. Catching the head of the nail with the edge of the hammer face allows you to drive the toenail completely.^{[1]
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Drive toenails into the opposite side to complete the toenailing, and at the same time drive the board back to the layout line. If the board is twisted, toenail the side that needs to be forced back.^{[2]
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This power is especially handy when you’re working with framing lumber or decking that’s not as straight as you’d like. Use big nails with big heads like 16d sinkers for these jobs. In fact, if one nail doesn’t do the job, drive another alongside to move the board even farther.^{[3]
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Tips

Cut a block (14-1/2 inch (36 cm) long for 16-inch (40.5 cm) on-center studs) to fit between studs when you’re toenailing walls. The block acts as a spacer and backer to support the stud while you toenail it.

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Drive the nails until the points barely protrude through the end of the first board before you position it, then position the board and drive the nails home.

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See the external links below for more detailed instructions.

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