Siding Calculator
A typical 1,500 sq ft single-story home needs 14–18 squares of siding (1,400–1,800 sq ft). Enter your home's dimensions for an exact estimate plus 2026 material cost.
Inputs
Estimate
- Total siding area (with 10% waste)Square feet of siding to order. Includes 10% waste factor for cuts and overlaps.1628 sq ft
- Vinyl siding squares (100 sq ft)A 'square' = 100 sq ft. Most siding is sold by the square.16.28squares
- Estimated low cost (materials only)$4,884
- Estimated high cost (materials only)$13,024
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Try Remodel AI freeHow to calculate siding for your home
Siding is sold by the square foot, but contractors order in 'squares' — one square equals 100 square feet of coverage. A typical 1,500 sq ft single-story home needs 14–18 squares of siding once openings are subtracted and waste is added.
Measure each wall's length and height separately, then multiply length × height for the wall area. Add the area of any gable triangles (½ × base × height). Subtract the total area of windows and doors. Multiply the net total by 1.10 to account for 10% waste from cuts, overlaps, and damaged pieces.
Vinyl is the most common residential siding because it's cheapest at $3–$8 per square foot installed. Fiber cement (Hardie board) costs $5–$13 per square foot and lasts 2–3× longer. Wood and brick are premium options at $7–$20 per square foot.
Formulas used
- Wall area
wall_height × wall_lengthTotal rectangular wall surface, measured wall by wall and summed. - Gable area
½ × gable_height × gable_widthTriangular gable ends. If your home has two gables, double the result. Skip this if your roof is hip-style with no gable. - Net siding area
(wall_area + gable_area − openings) × 1.10Subtract window and door areas, then add 10% for waste (overlaps, cut-offs, damaged pieces). Round up to the nearest full square.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much siding I need?+
Multiply each wall's height by its length to get the wall area. Add the area of gable triangles (½ × base × height). Subtract the total area of windows and doors. Multiply the result by 1.10 to add a 10% waste factor. The final number is the square feet of siding to order.
How many square feet of siding do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?+
A typical 2,000 sq ft two-story home has 1,800–2,200 sq ft of exterior wall surface (the floor square footage is not the same as the wall surface). With openings subtracted and 10% waste added, expect to order 1,600–2,000 sq ft of siding, or about 16–20 squares.
What is a 'square' of siding?+
One square equals 100 square feet of siding coverage. Most siding is sold and priced by the square. If your calculator says you need 1,500 sq ft of siding, that's 15 squares.
What's the cheapest siding material in 2026?+
Vinyl is the cheapest at $3–$8 per square foot installed. Engineered wood like LP SmartSide is next at $5–$11. Fiber cement (James Hardie) costs $5–$13. Wood, stucco, and brick veneer are premium options at $7–$20 per square foot.
Do I include the gable triangles in my siding calculation?+
Yes — gables are visible exterior surface and need siding. Each gable triangle area is ½ × base × height. A typical front gable on a single-story ranch is 100–200 sq ft. Skip this step only if your roof is fully hip-style with no gables.