Exhibit 12 MASCO CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Thousands of Dollars) Three Months Ended March 31, Year Ended December 31, 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 Earnings Before Income Taxes And Fixed Charges: Income from continuing operations before income taxes $106,800 $351,790 $292,830 $349,190 $296,020 $125,140 Deduct/add equity in undistributed (earnings) losses of fifty-percent- or-less-owned companies (8,850) (17,770) 106,200 (13,750) (13,210) 38,150 Add interest on indebtedness, net 17,420 73,400 60,360 62,860 57,190 71,640 Add amortization of debt expense 420 1,930 2,220 2,650 2,710 1,630 Add one-third of rentals 1,370 4,970 4,220 3,190 3,290 3,490 Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges $117,160 $414,320 $465,830 $404,140 $346,000 $240,050 Fixed charges: Interest on indebtedness $ 18,130 $ 76,460 $ 63,220 $ 63,600 $ 69,890 $ 72,850 Amortization of debt expense 420 1,930 2,220 2,650 2,710 1,630 One-third of rentals 1,370 4,970 4,220 3,190 3,290 3,490 $ 19,920 $ 83,360 $ 69,660 $ 69,440 $ 75,890 $ 77,970 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.9 5.0 6.7 5.8 4.6 3.1