# How to calculate length of diagonal lines across rectangle?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-length-of-diagonal-lines-across-rectangle/672569>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 29, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-length-of-diagonal-lines-across-rectangle/672569 "2013-10-29T17:41:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-length-of-diagonal-lines-across-rectangle/672569/21 "2013-10-31T18:14:38Z")

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This is just the rudimentary planning stage.

Once I actually have the wood (I’m going to build it mainly from 1x12 oak or maple), I’ll measure out, cut, and assemble the interior boards, then build the outer frame around it. I’m not a professional carpenter, so there will probably be a lot of trial-and-error involved even with proper, accurate measurements . 🙂

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**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-length-of-diagonal-lines-across-rectangle/672569/22 "2013-10-31T18:24:28Z")

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> [@DCnDC](#):
>
> Ah, yes.
> 
> Thanks for the help everyone! Now I just have to save up enough to get some decent wood.

1x12 lumber, I presume? This ehow is exactly how I would go about it: [ehow | ehow](http://www.ehow.com/boards/diagonal-bookshelf-7793810/)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-calculate-length-of-diagonal-lines-across-rectangle/672569/23 "2013-10-31T18:27:28Z")

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> [@standingwave](#):
>
> 1x12 lumber, I presume? This ehow is exactly how I would go about it: [ehow | ehow](http://www.ehow.com/boards/diagonal-bookshelf-7793810/)

Yeah that’s pretty much it.

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