Wall Paneling Calculator

Please fill in the required fields with values greater than 0.
–wall area (sq ft)
–coverage per board (sq ft)
–boards needed
–linear feet

Estimate only. Shiplap and tongue-and-groove boards cover less than their nominal width, so use the covering width on the label.

How to use this calculator

Enter the wall length and the height you want to cover, then the board width and length. Press Calculate to see how many boards you need for shiplap, wainscoting or wall panels. Add a price to get the cost.

The formula

Wall area = length × height
Coverage per board = board width (in) ÷ 12 × board length (ft)
Boards = area × (1 + waste) ÷ coverage per board

Example: A wall 12 ft long and 8 ft high is 96 sq ft. Boards 5.5 in wide and 8 ft long cover 3.67 sq ft each, so with 10% waste you need 29 boards.

Getting your wall panel estimate right

The calculator finds the wall area, works out how much one board covers and divides one by the other. It then adds your waste allowance and rounds up to whole boards. The result is the number of boards to buy for shiplap, tongue and groove, beadboard planks or similar panels.

A worked example

A 12 foot wall paneled 8 feet high is 96 square feet. A board 5.5 inches wide and 8 feet long covers about 3.67 square feet. With 10% waste, the wall needs 29 boards. If you only panel the lower part of the wall to 3 feet high, the area drops to 36 square feet and the count falls to about 11 boards.

What changes the board count

  • Covering width. Shiplap and tongue and groove overlap, so a board sold as 6 inches may cover only about 5 to 5.5 inches. Always enter the covering width.
  • Board length. Boards that are shorter than the wall mean more end joints and more offcuts.
  • Pattern. Vertical and horizontal installs use similar amounts. Diagonal and herringbone patterns waste more, so use 15%.
  • Openings and outlets. Windows, doors and switch boxes all need cuts that can turn a full board into scrap.

Tips and common mistakes

  • Let wood boards sit in the room for a few days before installing so they adjust to its humidity.
  • Find and mark the studs first. Nail into studs, or use adhesive where the product allows it.
  • Start from a level line, not the floor or ceiling, which are rarely perfectly straight.
  • Stagger end joints on long walls so seams do not line up in a visible pattern.
  • Use spacers, such as a nickel or a shim, to keep the gaps even on shiplap.
  • Turn off power before removing outlet covers, and use box extenders if the panels move the outlet face out.

Buying and cost

Enter the price per board to see the material cost. Buy all boards from the same batch when you can, since color and thickness can vary between lots. Add the cost of trim, nails, adhesive, caulk, wood filler and paint or stain. Primed MDF boards are often cheaper and more stable than solid wood but usually do not suit damp areas. For bathrooms, look for moisture-resistant or PVC panels. Keep a few spare boards for future repairs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate shiplap for a wall?
Find the wall area, divide it by the coverage of one board and add 10 percent for waste. Use the covering width, not the nominal width.
How much waste should I add for wall paneling?
Add 10 percent for straight installs and 15 percent for diagonal patterns or rooms with many cuts.
What is wainscoting height?
Wainscoting is usually one third of the wall height, about 32 to 36 inches in a room with 8 foot ceilings.
Do I subtract windows and doors?
Subtract large openings from the wall area. Small ones can stay as extra margin.
What else do I need besides panels?
Nails or adhesive, trim for the top and corners, and caulk or filler for the joints.
How many square feet does a box of wall paneling cover?
It depends on the product. Boxed panels usually list coverage in square feet on the label, based on covering width rather than full board width. Divide your wall area, plus waste, by that number and round up to whole boxes. For a 96 square foot wall with 10% waste, you need coverage for about 106 square feet.
Should shiplap go horizontal or vertical?
Both work. Horizontal boards make a room look wider and are the classic farmhouse style. Vertical boards draw the eye up and can make a low ceiling feel taller. Board count is about the same either way. Horizontal boards nail into studs, while vertical boards may need horizontal blocking or a plywood backing to nail into.
Do I need to paint shiplap before installing it?
Painting or priming before installing is often easier. It lets you coat the edges and the overlap, so bare wood does not show if boards shrink in dry weather. Plan on a final coat after installing to cover nail holes and filler. Pre-primed boards save a step and cost little more than raw boards.