🏠Vinyl Siding Calculator
Calculate vinyl siding boards and squares needed for your project
Width that shows after overlap (less than board width)
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Wall Dimensions
Input the length and height of your wall in feet. Measure the total wall area where you'll be installing vinyl siding. Measure all walls that need siding.
Specify Board Width
Select your vinyl siding board width in inches. Standard is 8 inches, but boards come in various widths (6, 8, 10, 12 inches). Wider boards cover more area with fewer pieces.
Set Exposure Width
Select exposure width (the width that shows after boards overlap). Exposure width is less than board width because boards overlap. Standard is 7.5 inches for 8-inch boards.
Calculate and Order
Click "Calculate Vinyl Siding" to see squares needed, boards needed, and linear feet. Add 10% extra for waste. Deduct openings (doors, windows) from total area. Order vinyl siding in squares (100 sq ft = 1 square).
Formula
Wall Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) Ă— Height (ft)
Number of Rows = Wall Height (inches) Ă· Exposure Width (inches)
Boards per Row = Wall Length (inches) Ă· Board Width (inches)
Total Boards = Boards per Row Ă— Number of Rows
Squares = Wall Area (sq ft) Ă· 100 (1 square = 100 sq ft)
Example 1: Standard Wall (40 ft Ă— 10 ft, 8" boards, 7.5" exposure)
Step 1: Calculate wall area: 40 Ă— 10 = 400 sq ft
Step 2: Convert height: 10 ft = 120 inches
Step 3: Calculate rows: 120 Ă· 7.5 = 16 rows
Step 4: Calculate boards per row: (40 Ă— 12) Ă· 8 = 480 Ă· 8 = 60 boards per row
Step 5: Calculate total boards: 60 Ă— 16 = 960 boards
Step 6: Add waste: 960 Ă— 1.10 = 1,056 boards (with 10% waste)
Step 7: Calculate squares: 400 Ă· 100 = 4 squares (with waste: 4.4 squares)
Example 2: Larger Wall (60 ft Ă— 12 ft, 10" boards, 9.5" exposure)
Step 1: Calculate wall area: 60 Ă— 12 = 720 sq ft
Step 2: Convert height: 12 ft = 144 inches
Step 3: Calculate rows: 144 ÷ 9.5 = 15.2 → 16 rows
Step 4: Calculate boards per row: (60 Ă— 12) Ă· 10 = 720 Ă· 10 = 72 boards per row
Step 5: Calculate total boards: 72 Ă— 16 = 1,152 boards
Step 6: Add waste: 1,152 Ă— 1.10 = 1,267 boards (with 10% waste)
Step 7: Calculate squares: 720 Ă· 100 = 7.2 squares (with waste: 7.9 squares)
About Vinyl Siding Calculator
The Vinyl Siding Calculator is an essential tool for homeowners, contractors, builders, and DIY enthusiasts who need to accurately determine how many boards and squares of vinyl siding are required for their siding projects. This calculator eliminates guesswork by providing precise board counts and square measurements based on wall dimensions, board width, and exposure width, helping you order the right amount of materials without waste or shortages.
When to Use This Calculator
- Exterior Siding: Calculate vinyl siding needed for exterior house siding installation
- Siding Replacement: Determine materials for vinyl siding replacement projects
- New Construction: Estimate vinyl siding quantities for new home construction
- Budget Planning: Calculate material costs by determining exact siding quantities needed
- Contractor Estimates: Quick reference for contractors bidding siding projects
Why Use Our Calculator?
- âś… Accurate Square Calculation: Calculates squares (100 sq ft = 1 square) for standard siding measurement
- âś… Board Count: Shows total boards needed based on board width and exposure
- âś… Linear Feet: Calculates total linear feet needed for ordering
- âś… Multiple Configurations: Supports different board widths (6, 8, 10, 12 inches) and exposure widths
- âś… Cost Planning: Helps budget accurately by determining exact material needs
- âś… Time Savings: Instant calculations eliminate manual math and measurements
Common Applications
Exterior Siding: Homeowners and contractors planning vinyl siding installation use this calculator to order the correct quantity of siding. Standard vinyl siding uses 8-inch boards with 7.5-inch exposure, which this calculator helps determine accurately.
Siding Replacement: Contractors and homeowners planning vinyl siding replacement use this tool to estimate materials needed. Vinyl siding replacement typically uses similar dimensions to new installation but may require additional materials for trim and accessories.
New Construction: Builders planning new home construction use this calculator to determine vinyl siding quantities needed, ensuring sufficient materials are on-site before starting work.
Tips for Best Results
- Board Widths: Standard is 8 inches; wider boards (10-12") use fewer pieces but cost more
- Exposure Width: Exposure width is less than board width due to overlap—standard is 7.5" for 8" boards
- Add Waste: Always add 10% extra for waste, cuts around openings, and mistakes
- Deduct Openings: Subtract door and window areas from total wall area before calculating
- Order in Squares: Vinyl siding is typically sold in "squares" (1 square = 100 sq ft)
- Trim and Accessories: Order additional materials for corners, trim, and accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
How many squares of vinyl siding do I need for a 40Ă—10 foot wall?
For a 40Ă—10 foot wall (400 sq ft), you'll need 4 squares of vinyl siding (with 10% waste: 4.4 squares). Always deduct door and window openings from total area before calculating. Add 10% extra for waste.
What is a square in vinyl siding?
A "square" in siding terminology equals 100 square feet. Siding is typically sold and priced per square. For example, 400 square feet equals 4 squares. Always add 10% waste when ordering.
What's the difference between board width and exposure width?
Board width is the actual width of the vinyl siding board. Exposure width is the width that shows after boards overlap. For 8-inch boards, exposure width is typically 7.5 inches (0.5 inches overlap per board). The overlap prevents gaps and provides weather protection.
Do I need to add extra siding for waste?
Yes! Always add 10% extra for waste, cuts around doors and windows, and mistakes during installation. If you need 4 squares, order about 4.4 squares (with 10% waste) to ensure you have enough material.
Should I deduct doors and windows from the area?
Yes! Measure door and window openings separately and deduct them from the total wall area before calculating siding needed. Doors typically are 20-40 sq ft, windows are 10-30 sq ft each. This prevents over-ordering.
What size vinyl siding should I use?
Standard vinyl siding board width is 8 inches with 7.5-inch exposure. Wider boards (10-12 inches) use fewer pieces but cost more. Narrower boards (6 inches) use more pieces but may look busy. Choose based on appearance preference and budget.