How to mark a trim reveal?

Author: Gianni Kuhic  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Mark the Reveal Lines Installing the trim slightly away from the jamb edges will help hide discrepancies. This intentional gap is called a reveal. Use a tape measure and a sharp pencil to mark the jamb 1/8 to 1/4 inches from the inside edge on all sides of the window.

How do you measure trim reveal?

Measure the width of the top of the opening where the top piece of door trim will be installed. To this measurement add 3/8". This will leave a slight (3/16") reveal around the door frame. This is the reveal I like to use.

How do you mark trim to cut?

You can mark the length of trim with the miter up (the point of the miter faces the ceiling) or the miter down (the point of the miter faces the floor). Both techniques accomplish the same task—that is, marking out a piece of door trim and then cutting it to the correct length.

Why do you leave a reveal on door trim?

Its also to clear the hinges on that side of the door. Normally I set the reveal based on the how much reveal is needed for the hinge to work properly.

What is the average door trim reveal?

The standard reveal for window molding and door trim is 1/4-in., but this can be adjusted a little if needed. A combination square works well for marking reveals.

Cool trick for marking trim reveals.

What should trim reveal be?

Mark the Reveal Lines

Installing the trim slightly away from the jamb edges will help hide discrepancies. This intentional gap is called a reveal. Use a tape measure and a sharp pencil to mark the jamb 1/8 to 1/4 inches from the inside edge on all sides of the window.

What is the standard reveal around a door?

The door frame manufacturer will then add their standard clearances to these dimensions to give what is called the Reveal Size. The Reveal size is the actual opening inside the frame that the doors will sit in. So in the case of a 2040 x 920mm door, the standard reveal size would be 2055 x 924mm.

What is the difference between a reveal and a jamb?

A jamb (from French jambe 'leg'), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture. The jambs of a window outside the frame are called reveals.

How much reveal between door and frame?

The right amount of space is equal to the thickness of your door with a little extra room for clearance while opening or closing. For example, if you have a thicker door you would want more space between your door and frame to allow for movement when opening and closing.

How do carpenters mark wood?

Be sure to use good quality marking tools. An engineer's square is more precise than a try square with a wooden stock for example. A marking knife is essential. Use medium and hard grade carpenters' pencils sharpened to 'chisel' tips.

How do trim marks work?

Crop marks, also known as trim marks, are lines printed in the corners of your publication's sheet or sheets of paper to show the printer where to trim the paper. They are used by commercial printers for creating bleeds where an image or color on the page needs to extend all the way to the edge of the paper.

What angle should trim be cut at?

When preparing the trim to be measured, be sure the angle will result in a look that is visibly correct. This can be an issue in older homes and buildings that have suffered from settling. A 45 degree angle may be needed for a new square opening, but it may not look right in every situation.

What is a reveal trim?

A reveal may typically be seen at the edge of a door or window, where the face molding is set back, often by a distance from 3/16" (5 mm) to 1/2" (12 mm). (This noun is unrelated to the verb reveal but is from the obsolete verb revale 'to lower, bring down,' which is related to vale and valley.)

How do I figure out my trim?

If you aren't sure of trim level, here's how to find out: If you happen to have the original sales invoice or window sticker from when you bought the vehicle, you can find the trim information there. Try the owner's manual. Sometimes it includes the trim level.

What is the best reveal for door trim?

To outline it, use a combination square to mark a consistent reveal of 1/8 to 1/4 inch around the entire door frame. These marks will serve as your guide for positioning the trim. Carefully measure the reveal to create a balanced and symmetrical appearance around the door.

How much gap do you leave between door and frame?

There should be a 2mm or 3mm gap between the door and the frame on both sides and the top. If you do need to cut the door down to size, keep in mind that you need to cut all four sides of the door equally whenever possible to retain an accurate shape or pattern if the door is panelled.

Why do you need a reveal on door trim?

One of the primary purposes is to provide a seal around the door to prevent drafts and outside elements from entering the building. The reveal should be tight enough to create a seal, but not so tight that the door becomes difficult to open or close.

Should trim be flush with door frame?

A door trim that is flush to jamb can lead to unintentional gaps forming over time as the wood dries or the house settles. Installing the door trim slightly away from the jamb edges will help hide the discrepancies.

Why is a door jamb 4 9 16?

Standard residential door jambs sizes typically measure about 4 9/16 inches wide by 9 9/16 inches tall. This size fits standard wall thicknesses.

What is the difference between a sill and a reveal?

In its simplest form, a window reveal is the timber surround of the window unit; you might refer to it as the windowsill (although technically, only the bottom horizontal component of a window is called a 'sill').

What is a frame reveal?

Double Mat When mats are layered in a picture frame, the top mat forms the main border and the bottom mat shows slightly, just around the image (called the "reveal").

How much clearance between door and jamb?

A well fitted door should have a 2mm gap on either side and at the top. The gap at the bottom will depend on the thickness of your flooring/carpet. Plane the door as required, using an electric plane will help you get an even finish, and sand for a smooth finish.

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