Siding Calculator

Calculate siding materials and costs

Units

Total Siding Needed

1430 sq ft

Squares

14.30

Cost

$7150

Units

Total Wall Area (sq ft)

Windows & Doors Area (sq ft)

Wastage Factor10%

5%10% typical20%

Cost per Sq Ft ($)

Typical Costs:

• Vinyl: $3-7/sq ft
• Fiber Cement: $6-12/sq ft
• Wood: $8-15/sq ft

Net Area

1300 sq ft

Squares

14.30

Wastage

130 sq ft

Est. Cost

$7,150

Area Breakdown

Total Wall Area1,500 sq ft

Net Area (after openings)1,300 sq ft

Wastage (10%)130 sq ft

Total Siding Needed1430 sq ft

Squares

Total Squares14.30

1 square = 100 sq ft (9.29 sq m)

Cost Estimate

Siding Material$7150

Total Estimated Cost$7150

Note: Does not include labor, trim, or installation materials

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate siding needed?

Siding needed = Total wall area - Window/door area + Wastage (10-15%). Measure all walls, subtract openings, and add 10-15% for cuts, corners, and waste.

What is a square of siding?

A square of siding covers 100 square feet. It's a standard measurement for ordering siding. For 1,500 sq ft of walls, you need 15 squares (1,500 ÷ 100 = 15).

How much siding waste should I plan for?

Plan for 10-15% waste for standard walls. Add 15-20% for complex designs with many corners, gables, or dormers. More cuts mean more waste.

How much does siding cost per square foot?

Siding costs vary by material: Vinyl $3-8/sq ft, Fiber cement $5-11/sq ft, Wood $6-12/sq ft, Metal $7-15/sq ft. Installation adds $2-8/sq ft depending on complexity.

Example Calculations

1Average Home Siding (1500 sq ft walls)

Inputs

Total Wall Area1,500 sq ft

Windows & Doors Area200 sq ft

Wastage10%

Cost per Sq Ft$5.00

Result

Total Siding Needed1,430 sq ft

Net Area1,300 sq ft

Squares14.30

Estimated Cost$6,500

Net area = 1,500 - 200 = 1,300 sq ft. Wastage = 1,300 × 0.10 = 130 sq ft. Total = 1,300 + 130 = 1,430 sq ft. Squares = 1,430 / 100 = 14.30. Cost = 1,300 × $5 = $6,500.

2Large Home with Many Openings

Inputs

Total Wall Area2,400 sq ft

Windows & Doors Area400 sq ft

Wastage15%

Cost per Sq Ft$8.00

Result

Total Siding Needed2,300 sq ft

Net Area2,000 sq ft

Squares23.00

Estimated Cost$16,000

Net area = 2,400 - 400 = 2,000 sq ft. Wastage = 2,000 × 0.15 = 300 sq ft. Total = 2,000 + 300 = 2,300 sq ft. Squares = 2,300 / 100 = 23.00. Cost = 2,000 × $8 = $16,000.

Formulas Used

Net Area

Net Area = Total Wall Area - Window/Door Area

Subtracts all openings from the total exterior wall area.

Where:

Total Wall Area= Total exterior wall surface in sq ft

Window/Door Area= Combined area of all windows and doors in sq ft

Total Siding with Waste

Total = Net Area × (1 + Waste% / 100)

Adds waste percentage for cuts, corners, and fitting.

Where:

Waste%= Waste percentage (typically 10-15%)

Squares & Cost

Squares = Total / 100, Cost = Total × Price per Sq Ft

Converts to roofing-style squares (100 sq ft each) and calculates material cost.

Where:

100= Square feet per square

Price per Sq Ft= Cost of siding material per square foot

Understanding Siding Calculations

Siding is measured in square feet or squares (100 sq ft). Calculate total wall area, subtract windows and doors, then add waste percentage.

Different siding types have different coverage rates and waste factors. Vinyl typically has less waste than wood or fiber cement.

Don't forget to include trim, corners, and starter strips in your material estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate siding needed?

Siding needed = Total wall area - Window/door area + Wastage (10-15%). Measure all walls, subtract openings, and add 10-15% for cuts, corners, and waste.

What is a square of siding?

A square of siding covers 100 square feet. It's a standard measurement for ordering siding. For 1,500 sq ft of walls, you need 15 squares (1,500 ÷ 100 = 15).

How much siding waste should I plan for?

Plan for 10-15% waste for standard walls. Add 15-20% for complex designs with many corners, gables, or dormers. More cuts mean more waste.

How much does siding cost per square foot?

Siding costs vary by material: Vinyl $3-8/sq ft, Fiber cement $5-11/sq ft, Wood $6-12/sq ft, Metal $7-15/sq ft. Installation adds $2-8/sq ft depending on complexity.

Example Calculations

1Average Home Siding (1500 sq ft walls)

Inputs

Total Wall Area1,500 sq ft

Windows & Doors Area200 sq ft

Wastage10%

Cost per Sq Ft$5.00

Result

Total Siding Needed1,430 sq ft

Net Area1,300 sq ft

Squares14.30

Estimated Cost$6,500

Net area = 1,500 - 200 = 1,300 sq ft. Wastage = 1,300 × 0.10 = 130 sq ft. Total = 1,300 + 130 = 1,430 sq ft. Squares = 1,430 / 100 = 14.30. Cost = 1,300 × $5 = $6,500.

2Large Home with Many Openings

Inputs

Total Wall Area2,400 sq ft

Windows & Doors Area400 sq ft

Wastage15%

Cost per Sq Ft$8.00

Result

Total Siding Needed2,300 sq ft

Net Area2,000 sq ft

Squares23.00

Estimated Cost$16,000

Net area = 2,400 - 400 = 2,000 sq ft. Wastage = 2,000 × 0.15 = 300 sq ft. Total = 2,000 + 300 = 2,300 sq ft. Squares = 2,300 / 100 = 23.00. Cost = 2,000 × $8 = $16,000.

Formulas Used

Net Area

Net Area = Total Wall Area - Window/Door Area

Subtracts all openings from the total exterior wall area.

Where:

Total Wall Area= Total exterior wall surface in sq ft

Window/Door Area= Combined area of all windows and doors in sq ft

Total Siding with Waste

Total = Net Area × (1 + Waste% / 100)

Adds waste percentage for cuts, corners, and fitting.

Where:

Waste%= Waste percentage (typically 10-15%)

Squares & Cost

Squares = Total / 100, Cost = Total × Price per Sq Ft

Converts to roofing-style squares (100 sq ft each) and calculates material cost.

Where:

100= Square feet per square

Price per Sq Ft= Cost of siding material per square foot

Understanding Siding Calculations

Siding is measured in square feet or squares (100 sq ft). Calculate total wall area, subtract windows and doors, then add waste percentage.

Different siding types have different coverage rates and waste factors. Vinyl typically has less waste than wood or fiber cement.

Don't forget to include trim, corners, and starter strips in your material estimates.

Siding Calculator

Wall Dimensions

Wastage & Cost

Area Breakdown

Squares

Cost Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate siding needed?

What is a square of siding?

How much siding waste should I plan for?

How much does siding cost per square foot?

Example Calculations

1Average Home Siding (1500 sq ft walls)

2Large Home with Many Openings

Formulas Used

Net Area

Total Siding with Waste

Squares & Cost

Understanding Siding Calculations

Related Resources

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Paint Calculator

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Siding Calculator

Wall Dimensions

Wastage & Cost

Area Breakdown

Squares

Cost Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate siding needed?

What is a square of siding?

How much siding waste should I plan for?

How much does siding cost per square foot?

Example Calculations

1Average Home Siding (1500 sq ft walls)

2Large Home with Many Openings

Formulas Used

Net Area

Total Siding with Waste

Squares & Cost

Understanding Siding Calculations

Related Resources

Related Calculators

Paint Calculator

Roofing Calculator

More Construction Calculators