What is the ratio of a cross arm to it's height? And how far down is the arm from the top?

Of course the answer to these questions vary depending nb the style of the cross i.e. Latin, Byzantine, etc. but in general, most of the crosses we sell are the traditional Latin style cross and there is a a ratio that governs the cross's proportions.

Some use the standard ratio which would make:

• the cross arm width equal to 1/2 of the cross height
• cross arm location 1/4 way down from the top (can also be 1/3 of the way down)

To keep the width of the wood in proportion, have the width be 1" in width for every foot in height. So if the cross is 6ft tall, you could make it 6" wide.

Another ratio often used is 1.8. Simply divide the cross height by 1.8 to determine the correct cross arm width. Ex. 6ft tall cross divided by 1.8 = 40" wide. (72/1.8=40)

The Golden Ration is 1.6 and it can be used as well. If you don't know what the Golden Ration is, search online for fascinating details, but in general it is the ration that is most pleasing to to the human eye and is used extensively in classical construction and found abundantly in nature.

Using the Golden Ration, our 6ft cross would have an arm width of 45" (72"/1.6=45)

and the center of the cross arm would be (.75 x Height) up from the ground, or .75x72" = 54" from ground.