How Much Shiplap Do I Need? Boards and Linear Feet
Shiplap boards overlap, so each shows less than its full width. A board 5⅜ in wide with a 3/8 in lap shows 5 in. A wall 12 × 8 ft less 20 sq ft of openings is 76 sq ft, and takes 26 boards of 8 ft with 10% extra. The shiplap calculator does it for your wall.
Part of the project planner: Planning to paint a room or a house.
Boards for common walls
8 ft high, no openings, boards of 8 ft showing 5 in, 10% extra.
| Wall length | Square feet | Linear feet | Boards of 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 64 | 154 | 22 |
| 10 ft | 80 | 192 | 27 |
| 12 ft | 96 | 230 | 32 |
| 14 ft | 112 | 269 | 37 |
| 16 ft | 128 | 307 | 43 |
| 20 ft | 160 | 384 | 53 |
How the board width changes the count
For the wall of 12 × 8 ft less 20 sq ft, with a lap of 3/8 in:
| Board | Full width | Width shown | Boards of 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 3.375 in | 3.000 in | 42 |
| 1×6 | 5.375 in | 5.000 in | 26 |
| 1×8 | 7.25 in | 6.875 in | 19 |
Hanging the boards
- Find the studs and mark them, then fix each board to the studs.
- Start from the bottom, or from the top if the ceiling is flatter than the floor, and check each course with a level.
- Stagger the end joints so that they do not line up in nearby courses.
- Leave about 1/8 in between boards if you want a nickel gap.
Before you buy
- Check the width of the board you choose, because profiles differ.
- Let the boards sit in the room for a few days to adjust to its damp.
- Prime and paint the boards before hanging, so a bare edge does not show if they shrink.
See also the wainscoting calculator and the paint calculator. These are estimates: check the width shown on your own boards.
Frequently asked questions
How much shiplap do I need?
The wall area divided by the width each board shows, in feet, plus waste. 76 sq ft takes 182.4 linear feet, or 26 boards of 8 ft with 10% extra.
How wide is a shiplap board on the wall?
It shows its full width less the lap. A 1×6 board of about 5⅜ in with a 3/8 in lap shows 5 in.
How much extra should I buy?
About 10% for a straight pattern and 15% for a diagonal one, for the cuts and the bad boards.
How many square feet does a board cover?
A board of 8 ft that shows 5 in covers 3.33 sq ft.
Do I leave a gap between boards?
Many installers leave about 1/8 in (a nickel gap) for movement. Subtract it from the width shown if you want it counted.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.