Toe nailing is driving nails at a slant through the side of one framing member into the piece it meets, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Table R602.3(1) lists it for joists to sills, rafters to plates, studs to plates, and blocking. The code forbids toenails for attaching decks, landings, and stairs to a building (Sections R507.8 and R311.5).
A toenail, also written toe nail, is a nail driven at an angle so it enters a member's side face and travels into the member beside or below it. Framers use it where there is no way to nail straight through the face.
Key facts
- A joist to sill, top plate, or girder connection is a toe nail connection under 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1) item 22.
- A rim joist, band joist, or blocking to a sill or top plate is toe nailed at 4 inches on center with 8d box nails, or at 6 inches on center with the other listed nails, under Table R602.3(1) item 23.
- Where a rafter is fastened to an adjacent parallel ceiling joist, footnote i to Table R602.3(1) requires two toe nails on one side of the rafter and removes the need for the opposite-side toe nail.
- 2021 IRC Section R507.8 states that deck attachment to an exterior wall shall not be accomplished by the use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal.
- Section R802.11 lets rafters and trusses rely on Table R602.3(1) nailing only where the tabulated uplift is 200 pounds or less per rafter or truss, or where the low-wind exception applies.
Which connections can be toe nailed under the 2021 IRC?
The connections listed as "toe nail" in Table R602.3(1) are the ones the code accepts as toe nailed, and they cluster at joists, rafters, blocking, and the ends of studs and headers. The schedule is the controlling reference: read the item, then the nail type, count, and spacing.
2021 IRC Table R602.3(1), fastening schedule, toe nail entries only. Fastener options are alternatives (any one of the listed nails), with sizes as printed in the table.
| Item | Connection | Toe nail fastener options | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blocking between ceiling joists, rafters, or trusses to top plate or other framing below | 4-8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.); 3-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); 3-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 3-3 x 0.131 in. nails | Toe nail |
| 2 | Ceiling joists to top plate | 4-8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.); 3-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); 3-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 3-3 x 0.131 in. nails | Per joist, toe nail |
| 6 | Rafter or roof truss to plate | 3-16d box (3-1/2 x 0.135 in.); 3-10d common (3 x 0.148 in.); 4-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 4-3 x 0.131 in. nails | 2 toe nails on one side and 1 toe nail on opposite side of each rafter or truss (footnote i) |
| 7 | Roof rafters to ridge, valley, or hip rafters, or roof rafter to minimum 2 in. ridge beam | 4-16d box (3-1/2 x 0.135 in.); 3-10d common (3 x 0.148 in.); 4-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 4-3 x 0.131 in. nails | Toe nail |
| 11 | Continuous header to stud | 5-8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.); 4-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); 4-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.) | Toe nail |
| 17 | Top or bottom plate to stud | 4-8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.); 3-16d box (3-1/2 x 0.135 in.); 4-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); 4-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 4-3 x 0.131 in. nails | Toe nail |
| 22 | Joist to sill, top plate, or girder | 4-8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.); 3-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); 3-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 3-3 x 0.131 in. nails | Toe nail |
| 23 | Rim joist, band joist, or blocking to sill or top plate (roof applications also) | 8d box (2-1/2 x 0.113 in.) at 4 in. o.c.; 8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.), 10d box (3 x 0.128 in.), or 3 x 0.131 in. nails at 6 in. o.c. | Toe nail |
| 30 | Bridging or blocking to joist, rafter, or truss | 2-10d box (3 x 0.128 in.); 2-8d common (2-1/2 x 0.131 in.); or 3 x 0.131 in. nails | Each end, toe nail |
Item 1 also covers blocking between rafters or trusses away from the wall top plates, with separate toe nail and end nail options; read that row in the printed table. Footnote a says nails are smooth-common, box, or deformed shanks except where otherwise stated. For the floor items, the sill plate guide covers the sill and its anchor bolts, and joist blocking and bridging covers when blocking is required.
Toe nailing vs end nailing: what is the difference?
Toe nailing goes in at a slant through the side of a member, while end nailing goes straight through the face of one piece into the end grain of another. Table R602.3(1) lists both for several connections and treats them as separate entries.
Item 17 (top or bottom plate to stud) shows the pairing: one set of options for toe nail and another for end nail. Item 7 (rafters to ridge, valley, or hip) is the same. Face nailing is a third method, for nails driven through the face of one member into the face of another, as with stud to stud or top plate to top plate.
On site, a framer end nails when the wall is assembled flat on the deck and toe nails when a stud goes to a plate already in place. The nail counts differ, so do not carry the number from one method to the other.
How to toe nail framing
Toe nailing works best when the piece is held still, the nail starts on the side face back from the end, and the angle carries it into the member below. The code gives nail counts and sizes, not angles or setbacks, so the technique below is general practice, not a code requirement.
- Find the connection in Table R602.3(1) first. Confirm the item is a toe nail, then read the nail type, count, and any spacing.
- Stop the member from sliding. A slanted nail pushes the piece sideways. Clamp it, have a helper hold it, or set a scrap block against it.
- Start the nail on the side face. Keep the point back from the end so the wood does not split, and tilt the nail so it enters the supporting piece.
- Drive with control. Measured blows or a nailer at sensible pressure beat a hard strike that kicks the member out of line.
- Spread the remaining nails. For rafter to plate, item 6 puts two toe nails on one side and one on the opposite side.
- Look for splits and missed nails. A nail that exits the side of the member does not count. Pull it and place another.
Where toe nailing is not allowed
Toenails are not permitted for attaching a deck to a building, and the 2021 IRC says so in two places. The code's wording, "nails subject to withdrawal", is the reason: a deck ledger connection has to be a positive anchor.
- Decks. 2021 IRC Section R507.8 requires a deck supported by attachment to an exterior wall to be positively anchored to the primary structure and designed for both vertical and lateral loads. It says the attachment shall not be accomplished by the use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal. Where positive connection cannot be verified at inspection, the deck must be self-supporting. See the deck framing plan guide for how that appears on a drawing.
- Landings, balconies, and stairs. Section R311.5 applies the same rule to exterior landings, decks, balconies, stairs, and similar facilities: positively anchored to resist vertical and lateral forces, or designed to be self-supporting, and not by toenails.
Toe nailing ceiling joists and rafters
Ceiling joists are toe nailed to the top plate under Table R602.3(1) item 2, and Section R802.5.2.1 asks for toenailing where lapped or butted ceiling joists meet over a bearing partition or beam. That section requires the ends to be lapped not less than 3 inches or butted over the bearing member and toenailed to it.
Where the ceiling joists form the continuous tie across the building, the laps are nailed as Table R802.5.2(1) says instead. For the tie itself, see collar ties and rafter ties, and for span sizes the ceiling joist span chart.
Rafter to plate is item 6. Footnote i changes the pattern when the rafter sits beside a parallel ceiling joist: two toe nails on the rafter's one side, plus toe nails from the ceiling joist to the top plate, and no opposite-side toe nail.
Do toe nails resist roof uplift?
Toe nails count as the uplift connection only inside the exceptions in 2021 IRC Section R802.11. Otherwise rafters and trusses need a connection sized for uplift.
The exceptions allow Table R602.3(1) attachment where either of the following applies:
- The uplift force per rafter or truss does not exceed 200 pounds, as determined by Table R802.11.
- The basic wind speed does not exceed 115 miles per hour, the exposure category is B, the roof pitch is 5 in 12 or greater, the roof span is 32 feet or less, and rafters and trusses are spaced not more than 24 inches on center.
Sections R802.11.1 (trusses) and R802.11.2 (rafters) require connections capable of resisting the uplift in Table R802.11, the truss drawings, or accepted engineering practice. The hurricane ties guide reads Table R802.11 and the connectors that replace toe nails.
Showing toe nailed connections on a framing plan
A framing plan rarely draws individual nails. A general note such as "fasten per 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1) unless noted" covers them, with a tag wherever a connector replaces toe nails, such as a hurricane tie or a deck ledger fastener.
Framing Plan draws joist layouts, beams, and openings and exports PNG, PDF, and DXF. It does not check fasteners, size members, or verify code compliance: its sample profile uses demo span figures and metric sizes, and the editor works in millimeters. For the wall side of these connections, see wall framing basics.
Summary
Toe nailing is a slanted nail through the side of one member into another, and 2021 IRC Table R602.3(1) lists it for joists to sills, rafters to plates, blocking, headers to studs, and plates to studs. Toenails are not acceptable for deck, landing, balcony, or stair attachment under Sections R507.8 and R311.5. Roof members may rely on toe nails only inside the Section R802.11 exceptions. The adopted code edition and local amendments govern.
Open the framing studio to lay out a preliminary joist and beam plan, then add your fastening notes to the drawing for your designer or plan reviewer.