A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who builds and repairs things made of wood. Carpenters create the wooden frames that hold up houses, install cabinets and shelves, build decks and stairs, hang doors, and craft furniture. They measure carefully, cut precisely, and join pieces together so structures are strong and level.

The work requires both physical skill and mathematical thinking. A carpenter must understand angles, read blueprints, and calculate measurements down to fractions of an inch. They use tools like saws, hammers, drills, levels, and squares. While power tools have made some tasks easier, the fundamental skills of the craft haven't changed much in centuries.

Carpentry has been essential to human civilization for thousands of years. Before steel and concrete became common, nearly everything was built from wood: ships, bridges, buildings, wheels, and tools. Even today, most houses in America have wooden frames, and carpenters remain crucial to construction.

Someone learning the trade is called a carpenter apprentice, and carpentry done with exceptional skill and artistry is called fine carpentry or finish carpentry.