Best Squares & Layout Tools for DIYers
A good square marks accurate 90 and 45-degree lines, checks for square, and guides cuts. Speed squares are fast for framing and saw guidance; combination and framing squares add layout and measuring. Accuracy is everything.
What to look for
- ·A speed (rafter) square is the everyday pick for marking, checking square, and guiding circular-saw cuts.
- ·A combination square adds 45 and 90-degree marking, depth and height gauging, and a removable ruler for layout.
- ·Buy accuracy: a quality square stays true and reads clearly. Check a square against itself before trusting it.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swanson Speed Square | Editor's pick | $8 to $18 | The standard speed square |
| Starrett Combination Square | Editor's pick | $60 to $120 | Precision layout |
| Empire True Blue Rafter Square | Editor's pick | $10 to $20 | Accurate everyday marking |
| Johnson Speed Square | Best value | $7 to $15 | Value speed square |
| Empire Combination Square | Best value | $12 to $25 | Value combination square |
| IRWIN Carpenter Square | Best value | $10 to $22 | Value framing layout |
| Store-Brand Speed Square | Budget pick | $5 to $10 | Budget casual marking |
| Stanley Combination Square | Budget pick | $8 to $18 | Budget layout |
| Basic Framing Square | Budget pick | $8 to $18 | Budget big right angles |
Editor's pick
Swanson Speed Square
$8 to $18
The original and standard speed square, durable and accurate for marking, checking square, and guiding saw cuts. The everyday pick that defined the category.
Best for: The standard speed square
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Starrett Combination Square
$60 to $120
The premium precision combination square with a finely machined head and ruler for accurate layout and checking. The pick when precision matters most.
Best for: Precision layout
Typically available at Amazon, Acme Tools.
Empire True Blue Rafter Square
$10 to $20
An accurate, durable speed square with clear, easy-to-read markings from a trusted layout brand. A premium everyday pick for marking and cuts.
Best for: Accurate everyday marking
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Best value
Johnson Speed Square
$7 to $15
A dependable, accurate speed square at a value price from a long-standing brand. A solid everyday pick for framing and saw guidance.
Best for: Value speed square
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Empire Combination Square
$12 to $25
A reliable combination square with a removable ruler and level vial for layout, depth, and 45/90-degree marking at a value price. A strong everyday layout pick.
Best for: Value combination square
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
IRWIN Carpenter Square
$10 to $22
A dependable framing or rafter square for layout and checking square at a fair price. A good value for general carpentry and big right angles.
Best for: Value framing layout
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Budget pick
Store-Brand Speed Square
$5 to $10
An inexpensive aluminum speed square for occasional marking and saw guidance. Verify its accuracy, but a cheap pick for casual cuts and layout.
Best for: Budget casual marking
Typically available at Home Depot, Walmart.
Stanley Combination Square
$8 to $18
A budget combination square for basic layout, depth, and 45/90 marking. Not the most precise, but serviceable for everyday DIY at a low price.
Best for: Budget layout
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Basic Framing Square
$8 to $18
An affordable L-shaped framing square for laying out and checking large right angles. Basic, but the cheap way to square up big assemblies and frames.
Best for: Budget big right angles
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Frequently asked
What square should I buy first?+
A speed (rafter) square is the most useful first square: it marks 90 and 45-degree lines, checks for square, guides circular-saw cuts as a fence, and helps lay out rafters and stairs. A combination square is a great second for layout and depth setting.
Speed square or combination square?+
A speed square is fast, rugged, and doubles as a saw guide, ideal for framing and rough carpentry. A combination square is more precise for layout, marking, depth and height gauging, and checking square on finer work. Many people own both for different tasks.
How do I check if a square is accurate?+
Mark a line along the square against a straight edge, flip the square over, and mark again from the same point. If the two lines align, the square is true; if they splay apart, it is off. Do this before trusting a new or dropped square.
What is a framing (carpenter) square for?+
The large L-shaped framing square lays out rafters, stairs, and large right angles, and checks square on big assemblies. It has rafter and stair tables stamped on it. It is more specialized than a speed or combination square but invaluable for framing layout.
Which square brand is best?+
Swanson essentially defined the speed square and is the trusted standard. Empire and Johnson make reliable squares across types, and Starrett is the premium name for precision combination squares. For most DIYers, a Swanson speed square plus a decent combination square covers nearly everything.