On the newer framing squares there are degree conversions for different pitches and fractional equivalents.

In traditional timber frame joinery, mortises and tenons were typically 50 millimetres (2.0 in) wide and 50 millimetres (2.0 in) from the edge of the timber when working with softwoods, giving rise to the width of the blade.

Likewise, mortises and tenons were traditionally 37 millimetres (1.5 in) wide when working in hardwoods, explaining the width of the tongue.

This allowed for quick layouts of mortise and tenon joints when working both hard and softwoods.

The stringer is the structural member that carries the load of the staircase, the tread is the horizontal part that is stepped on, and the riser board is the vertical part which runs the width of the structure.

There are many types of stairs: open, closed, fully housed, winding, and so on, to mention a few of them.

The rafter table allows the carpenter to make quick calculations based on the Pythagorean theorem.

Each column describes a different roof inclination (pitch) and contains the following information:The octagon scale allows the user to inscribe an octagon inside a square, given the length of the side of the square.

The markings indicate half the length of the octagon's sides, which can be set to a compass or divider.

Knee bracing is a common feature in timber framing to prevent racking under lateral loads.

The diagonal scale is useful for determining the length of the a knee brace desired for a given distance from the joint between the post and beam.

The rafter is the hypotenuse and the legs or catheti of the triangle are the top wall plates of the structure.

The notch formed at the intersection of the level and plumb cut Is commonly referred to as the bird's mouth .

There is also a comprehensive rafter table for 6 & 8 sided polygon roofs (first time ever on a framing square).