If you’re planning a home improvement or DIY project involving shiplap installation, accurately estimating how many pieces you need can save you time, money, and frustration. Whether covering a wall, ceiling, or exterior siding, using a Shiplap Calculator ensures you buy just the right amount of material without unnecessary waste.
Our Shiplap Calculator tool is designed to help you quickly calculate the total number of shiplap boards required based on your project’s dimensions. Simply input your area, shiplap length, and width, and get instant results — no complex math needed.
What is Shiplap and Why Calculate It?
Shiplap is a popular wooden board style featuring grooves that allow the boards to overlap snugly, creating a charming, rustic look. It’s widely used for interior walls, ceilings, and exterior cladding due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Estimating shiplap quantity is important because:
- Buying too few boards means multiple trips to the store and delays.
- Buying too many leads to unnecessary expenses and leftover material.
- Accurate estimates help in budgeting and project planning.
How Does the Shiplap Calculator Work?
Our Shiplap Calculator takes three simple inputs:
- Total Area to be Covered (ft²): This is the overall surface area where you want to install shiplap.
- Length of Each Shiplap Board (inches): The length of one individual shiplap piece.
- Width of Each Shiplap Board (inches): The width of a single board.
Once you enter these values, the calculator performs a straightforward calculation:
Formula:
Number of Pieces Needed = Total Area / (Length in feet × Width in feet)
Note: Since length and width are usually measured in inches, the calculator converts these values into feet by dividing by 12.
The output gives you the approximate number of shiplap boards required, rounded to two decimal places.
How to Use the Shiplap Calculator Step by Step
- Measure the Total Area:
Calculate or measure the surface area where shiplap will be installed in square feet. For example, a wall that is 10 feet wide and 8 feet high has a total area of 80 square feet. - Find Your Shiplap Dimensions:
Check the packaging or supplier info for the length and width of the shiplap boards you will be using. These are often given in inches. For example, a shiplap board might be 96 inches long and 6 inches wide. - Input the Values:
Enter the total area, length, and width into the calculator fields. - Calculate:
Click the “Calculate” button, and the tool instantly shows the number of shiplap pieces needed.
Example Calculation
Let’s say you have a wall of 100 square feet, and your shiplap boards measure 96 inches (8 feet) in length and 6 inches (0.5 feet) in width.
- Total Area = 100 ft²
- Length of Shiplap = 96 inches = 8 feet
- Width of Shiplap = 6 inches = 0.5 feet
Using the formula:
Number of Pieces Needed = 100 / (8 × 0.5)
= 100 / 4
= 25 pieces
You would need approximately 25 shiplap boards to cover the area.
Additional Tips for Using the Shiplap Calculator
- Always round up: Since you can’t buy a fraction of a board and to allow for cuts or mistakes, it’s best to round the final result up to the next whole number.
- Measure accurately: Double-check your measurements to avoid miscalculations.
- Account for waste: It’s recommended to add 5-10% extra boards to your total to cover any damaged or unusable pieces.
- Consider board orientation: If you’re installing shiplap vertically or diagonally, factor in any additional waste from cuts.
- Use consistent units: The calculator expects area in square feet and board dimensions in inches, so be sure to convert accordingly.
Why Use Our Shiplap Calculator?
- Saves Time: Instantly get results without manual calculations.
- Reduces Errors: Minimizes the risk of overbuying or underbuying materials.
- User-Friendly: Simple input fields with instant feedback.
- Cost-Effective: Helps plan budget more efficiently by knowing the exact quantity needed.
- Perfect for DIYers and Professionals: Whether you’re a homeowner or contractor, this tool makes planning easy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Shiplap Calculator
1. What is the minimum input required for the calculator?
You need to provide the total area (in square feet), and the length and width of one shiplap board (in inches).
2. Can I use the calculator for any type of wood board?
Yes, as long as you provide accurate dimensions and the area, it can be used for any board similar to shiplap.
3. Why does the calculator convert inches to feet?
Because the total area is measured in square feet, length and width need to be converted to feet to keep units consistent.
4. Can this calculator factor in gaps between boards?
No, this calculator assumes boards are tightly joined. For gaps, you should adjust measurements manually.
5. How accurate is the calculator?
It provides an estimate based on input data. Actual needs may vary due to waste, cutting, and installation style.
6. Should I add extra boards to the calculator result?
Yes, it’s recommended to add at least 5-10% extra for waste and cuts.
7. What if my shiplap boards have varying sizes?
Use the average size or measure the boards you plan to use for best results.
8. Can I use this for curved walls or irregular areas?
For irregular shapes, calculate the total area as accurately as possible and input it.
9. Is this calculator useful for ceilings as well as walls?
Yes, any flat surface area can be calculated.
10. How do I measure total area?
Multiply width by height for rectangular areas; for complex shapes, break into rectangles or triangles and sum areas.
11. Does the calculator account for windows and doors?
No, subtract the area of openings manually from the total area before entering it.
12. Can I use metric measurements?
This calculator uses feet for area and inches for board size. Convert your measurements accordingly.
13. Why are length and width inputs in inches, but total area in square feet?
This matches common measurement standards for boards (inches) and surface area (feet).
14. What if I input zero or negative numbers?
The calculator will prompt you to enter valid, positive numbers.
15. Can I use this for shiplap siding on the exterior?
Yes, the calculator works for interior and exterior applications.
16. How do I handle board overlap?
This calculator assumes no overlap. Adjust board width if your shiplap has overlapping edges.
17. Can I print the calculation result?
Yes, you can copy the result from the screen or take a screenshot.
18. Does the calculator include labor or fasteners?
No, it only calculates material quantity.
19. How to handle boards of varying thickness?
Thickness doesn’t affect area calculation, so it is not included.
20. Can this calculator handle very large areas?
Yes, it works for any area size as long as inputs are accurate.
Final Thoughts
The Shiplap Calculator is a simple but powerful tool to streamline your shiplap installation planning. With minimal inputs and instant results, you can confidently order the right number of boards for your project. Accurate measurements, rounding up, and accounting for waste will ensure a smooth, cost-effective project with no surprises.