Design a Native American flute

Pick a key and the number of holes. The calculator works out the overall length, the sound chamber, the sound hole and flue, and where to put each finger hole and how big to start it. Print a full-size hole template or cut the flute on a CNC with the free VCarve gadget. New to this? Start with the tutorials.

Your flute

Key (lowest note) The note the flute plays with every hole covered. Mid-range G and A flutes are the easiest to make and play.

Finger holes

4 5 6 6 + thumb

Material

Units

Inches mm

Hand size

Bore

Bore diameter

Wall thickness

Fine-tune (optional)

Leave any box blank to use the suggested size shown in it.

Finger holes

Hole size, all holes Bigger holes sit lower on the flute and play louder. Change one hole below to move it.

Thumb hole size

Direction holes

Add direction holes near the foot Two holes that set the lowest note, so the foot can run a little longer. Most flutes have them.

Foot length past them

Hole size (each)

Sound hole and flue

Sound hole width

Sound hole length

Flue depth

Plug length

Exit hole length

Ramp angle (°)

Width runs across the flute; length runs along it. The flue is cut into the body; its width matches the sound hole. The ramp is the slope of the plug that turns air from the slow air chamber up into the flue.

Splitting edge

Underside angle (°)

Top bevel length

Top bevel angle (°)

The edge the air splits on, at the foot end of the sound hole. The suggested top bevel angle sets the edge 1/128" above the flue floor.

Mouthpiece end

Slow air chamber

Breath hole length

Breath hole size

Tuning

A4 pitch (Hz)

Air temperature

440 Hz is standard; some players like 432 Hz. Warm breath runs near 80 °F inside the flute; tune at the temperature you'll play in.

Your flute

Checks

Finger holes

Holes are numbered from the top, the end you blow into.

Cut each hole at the start size. It will play a little flat. Open it up a little at a time until it is in tune; it should end near the final size.

Fingering chart

Sound hole, flue and chambers

Starting proportions for the sound hole, flue, ramp and splitting edge come from the makers' measurements collected on Flutopedia (Russ Wolf and others). How the calculator works.

Wood and cutting

Take it to the shop

Cut it on a CNC with VCarve or Aspire

Copy this design code, open the free Flute Calculator gadget in VCarve, paste it in and click Draw flute. The gadget draws both halves and makes the toolpaths.

Print or share

Print hole template

Other CAD and CAM programs

Both halves, side view, full size, on named layers.