Siding Calculator

Calculate how many squares of siding you need for a house exterior. Works for vinyl, fiber cement, wood lap, and panel siding. Get material quantities for walls, gables, and complete siding estimates.

🏗️ Exterior🏗️ Squares = Wall Area / 100 sq ft (1 square = 100 sq ft)
House perimeter (ft)
Average wall height (ft)
Gable area (sq ft per gable)
Number of gables
Window + door area to subtract (sq ft)
Waste factor (%)
Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

VariableFormulaUnits
Siding CalculatorSquares = Wall Area / 100 sq ft (1 square = 100 sq ft)squares + pieces

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1
Ranch House

40x28 ft house (136 ft perim), 9 ft walls, 2 gables (80 sq ft each), 150 sq ft openings, 10% waste.

  • Wall area = 136 x 9 = 1,224 sq ft
  • Gables = 80 x 2 = 160 sq ft
  • Openings = 150 sq ft
  • Net = (1,224+160-150) x 1.10 = 1,358.6 sq ft = 13.6 squares
✓ 13.6 squares needed
Example 2
Two-Story Colonial

160 ft perimeter, 18 ft walls (two stories), 4 gables (120 sq ft each), 300 sq ft openings.

  • Wall area = 160 x 18 = 2,880 sq ft
  • Gables = 480 sq ft | Openings = 300 sq ft
  • Net x 1.10 = 3,366 sq ft = 33.7 squares
✓ 33.7 squares
Example 3
Garage

60 ft perimeter, 10 ft walls, 1 gable (60 sq ft), 2 garage doors (144 sq ft).

  • Wall area = 600 sq ft + 60 gable - 144 openings = 516 sq ft
  • x 1.10 = 567.6 sq ft = 5.7 squares
✓ 5.7 squares

Real-World Applications

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️
Not subtracting windows and doors

Windows and doors don't get sided. Forgetting to subtract them wastes 10-20% of your siding budget on material you don't need.

⚠️
Using wall area for gable area

Gable triangles have less area than their bounding rectangle. Calculate each gable as 1/2 x base x height, not as a rectangle.

⚠️
Applying one waste factor to all siding types

Vinyl and fiber cement require 10-12% waste. Diagonal or complex patterns need 15-20%. Stone or brick veneer requires separate calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is one square of siding?
One square = 100 square feet. Siding is sold in squares or by the box, where each box covers one square (100 sq ft) typically.
How much does siding cost per square?
Vinyl: $90-150/square installed. Fiber cement (Hardie): $150-300/square installed. Wood lap: $200-350/square. Steel: $200-350/square. Engineered wood: $150-250/square.
What type of siding lasts longest?
Fiber cement (Hardie board) and engineered wood: 25-50 years. Vinyl: 20-40 years. Steel: 30-50 years. Wood: 20-30 years with regular painting/sealing. Brick and stone: 50-100+ years.
How many pieces of vinyl siding per square?
Depends on exposure width. 4-inch exposure: about 25 pieces/square. 5-inch exposure: 20 pieces/square. Check your specific siding package for coverage per piece.
Should I hire a siding contractor?
Most homeowners hire professionals for full siding replacement. DIY is practical for small repairs and for handy homeowners using vinyl siding. Fiber cement installation requires specialized training.

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