<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-12
<SEQUENCE>8
<FILENAME>0008.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 12
<TEXT>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 12


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                       (Millions of Dollars Except Ratios)


                                                                    Three Months Ended              Nine Months Ended
                                                                       October 1, 2000                October 1, 2000
                                                                    ------------------              -----------------

EARNINGS:

<S>                                                                           <C>                            <C>
Earnings before income taxes                                                  $  123.3                       $  329.3

Interest expense                                                                  37.2                          108.3

Portion of rent expense representative of an interest factor                       6.9                           20.7
                                                                              --------                       --------
Adjusted earnings before taxes and fixed charges                              $  167.4                       $  458.3
                                                                              ========                       ========

FIXED CHARGES:

Interest expense                                                              $   37.2                       $  108.3

Portion of rent expense representative of an interest factor                       6.9                           20.7
                                                                              --------                       --------
Total fixed charges                                                           $   44.1                       $  129.0
                                                                              ========                       ========

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES                                                3.80                           3.55
                                                                              ========                       ========
</TABLE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>