Wood Siding Calculator
Solid wood siding comes in many species, profiles, and board lengths, which makes coverage per board vary more than manufactured products. This calculator lets you set the exact exposure and board length for your project.
Project type
Wall measurements
Enter each wall's length and height in feet and inches. Wall area = length × height.
Gable ends
No gables added. Gable area = base × rise ÷ 2.
Windows & doors
No openings added. Each opening's area is subtracted from your gross siding area.
Siding material
Waste factor
Waste accounts for cuts at corners and openings, gable angles, damaged pieces, and pattern matching. 10% is a common starting point for a simple rectangular home; complex roof lines or diagonal cuts often need more.
Trim & accessories
Actual accessory requirements vary by installation method and manufacturer — use these as a starting checklist, not a final order.
08Cost estimateOptional
Applied to area including waste — what you'll actually buy.
Applied to net wall area — what installers actually cover, before waste.
Enter your own prices for the most accurate estimate for your area. Leave fields blank or at 0 to exclude them.
Preview
Estimated siding needed
Net area
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Waste added
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Total area (w/ waste)
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Siding squares
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Wood units
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Est. total cost
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How we calculated this
Trim & accessories
Want professional installation?
Bring this estimate to local siding contractors when comparing quotes, or reach out with questions.
Contact usHow it's calculated
- 1. Net siding area = gross wall and gable area minus openings.
- 2. Required area = net area plus your waste allowance (15% is a common starting point for solid wood).
- 3. A single 16 ft board at a 5 in exposure covers about 6.7 sq ft.
- 4. Boards needed = required area ÷ board coverage, rounded up.
Worked example
A home with 1,000 sq ft of net wall area and a 15% waste factor:
| Net area | 1,000 sq ft |
| Plus 15% waste | +150 sq ft |
| Required area | 1,150 sq ft |
| Siding squares | 11.5 squares |
| Boards to order | 172 boards |
Board length, width, and exposure vary widely by species and profile — adjust the fields to match your specific lumber.
Assumptions
- • Solid wood board coverage depends heavily on species, milled profile, and length — the default values are a starting point only.
- • Higher waste (15%+) is typical for wood due to knot culling, warping, and pattern matching.
- • This calculator does not account for on-site finishing, staining, or sealing requirements.
Tips
- • Order 1–2 extra boards beyond the calculated amount for on-site defects and cutting waste.
- • Let wood siding acclimate to your local climate before installation, per your supplier’s recommendation.
Reading lumber dimensions before you enter them
Lumber is sold by nominal size, not actual size. A board sold as “1×8” measures roughly 3/4 in by 7 1/4 in, and that difference matters for coverage. What counts is the board’s visible face after it overlaps the course below (its exposure), or its face after the tongue or rabbet is hidden (its reveal). Enter that number, not the nominal width.
Common solid-wood profiles behave differently. Bevel or lap siding overlaps like vinyl, so exposure is the width minus the overlap. Shiplap interlocks with a rabbeted edge, so the reveal is a bit under the board width. Tongue-and-groove hides its joint entirely, so the reveal is close to the actual width minus the tongue. If you enter the wrong figure, your board count drifts by 10% or more across a whole house, which is why the waste factor guide is worth a read too.
Species drives both look and durability: pine and spruce are budget-friendly and need consistent painting, while redwood, cypress and cedar have natural rot resistance. For species-specific notes on cedar, use the cedar siding calculator. Whichever you choose, seal the end grain of every cut board. Water enters end grain first, and it’s the most common point where siding starts to fail.
This is a planning estimate
Frequently asked questions
How much wood siding do I need?
Divide your required siding area by the coverage of a single board (length × exposure). This varies significantly by species and profile, so enter your specific board dimensions for the best estimate.
What waste factor should I use for wood siding?
15% or more is common, higher than manufactured sidings, due to natural material variation and on-site culling of defects.
Why is my board coverage smaller than the board width?
Overlap or interlock hides part of each board. Enter the exposed face, not the nominal or actual width.
Should I prime or stain wood siding before installing it?
Finishing all faces and cut ends before installation, or at least back-priming, is widely recommended because it’s much harder to reach the back and ends once boards are on the wall.
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Related guides
How to Measure a House for Siding
Walls, gables, openings and trim, step by step.
How Much Does Siding Cost?
Typical installed prices and what moves a quote.
Siding Waste Factor Explained
How much waste to add and how it changes your order.
Siding Cost Per Square Foot
What drives price per square foot across materials.