Total Linear Feet:
The Board to Board Siding Calculator is an essential construction planning tool designed to compute the exact amount of siding material required for your exterior walls. By using the exposed width and total board length it accurately predicts both the total board count and the linear footage required avoiding unnecessary waste and excess spending on lumber.
Whether you are working on a classic shiplap interior a modern board and batten exterior or traditional lap siding determining the true coverage of a single board is vital. This calculator streamlines your architectural planning and gives you precise numbers instantly without complex manual equations.
What is Board to Board Siding
Board to board siding refers to wood or composite planks installed parallel to each other to cover a wall structure. The most critical measurement in this type of siding is the exposed width. The exposed width is the visible face of the board after the siding is fully installed accounting for any overlaps grooves or hidden joints. Measuring by physical total width instead of exposed width will lead to material shortages.
Board to Board Siding Formula
To determine how much material you need you must first calculate the square footage covered by one single board using its exposed width.
Single Board Area = (Exposed Width in Inches / 12) x Length in Feet
Once the area of a single piece is established you divide the total wall area by the single board area to find the required board count.
Total Boards Needed = Total Wall Area / Single Board Area
If you are purchasing material in continuous lengths rather than specific cut pieces you will need the total linear footage.
Total Linear Feet = Total Wall Area / (Exposed Width in Inches / 12)
Common Board Siding Estimations
This reference table shows standard material requirements based on a commonly used 5.5 inch exposed board width and a 12 foot board length. Values do not contain commas and represent exact mathematical coverage without waste percentages.
| Total Wall Area | Boards Needed (12 ft length) | Total Linear Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Sq Ft | 9.10 | 109.10 |
| 100 Sq Ft | 18.19 | 218.19 |
| 250 Sq Ft | 45.46 | 545.46 |
| 500 Sq Ft | 90.91 | 1090.91 |
| 750 Sq Ft | 136.37 | 1636.37 |
| 1000 Sq Ft | 181.82 | 2181.82 |
| 1500 Sq Ft | 272.73 | 3272.73 |
| 2000 Sq Ft | 363.64 | 4363.64 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I account for material waste?
This calculator provides the exact mathematical coverage. In professional building projects it is standard practice to add a 10 percent waste factor to account for cutting errors and end joints. If your wall has multiple windows and gable angles you should add a 15 percent waste factor to your final calculator result.
Why do I use exposed width instead of total board width?
Because siding boards often overlap or interlock (like tongue and groove) a portion of the physical board is hidden. If you calculate your area using a 6 inch total width but half an inch is covered during installation you will end up short on material. Always measure only the visible face of the board.
What is the difference between total boards and linear feet?
Total boards tell you exactly how many individual pieces of a specific length (like 12 foot boards) you need to carry to the job site. Linear feet calculates the total running length of the material regardless of how long the individual boards are. Linear feet is primarily used when ordering bulk custom lumber.
Can I use this for metric wall measurements?
Yes. The calculator features an integrated dropdown menu that allows you to input your wall size in square meters. It will automatically convert the metric area to match standard lumber dimensions.
How do I calculate square feet for a wall?
Simply measure the height and width of your wall in feet and multiply the two numbers together. For a wall that is 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide your total area is 200 square feet. Subtract the square footage of any large windows or doors before entering the value into the calculator.