A dowel joint is a type of joint used to connect two pieces of wood by drilling dowel holes in each piece and using a wooden peg (the dowel) to attach them. The dowels act somewhat like a mechanical fastener, as they bridge between the two boards and hold things together. They also swell when covered with wood glue, locking the joint in place. Dowel joints are strong, and the dowels themselves increase the glue surface by quite a bit. They also make use of each board’s long grain rather than simply the end grain at the end of a butt joint. Dowel joints are fast, easy, and flexible to make. They are also helpful for situations where a joint must be both strong and fastener-free. Dowel joints are commonly used in woodworking and furniture or cabinet making. The dowels can be made from wood, plastic, or metal, and they come in specific thicknesses. While dowel joints are simple in construction, they require accuracy in marking the centers of the holes and boring them. Dowel joints are strong, precise, hidden, and versatile.