Calculate the linear feet of shiplap boards for an accent wall, ceiling, or full room.
Usage Tip
Account for the exposed face width, not the full board width; the overlap hides part of each board.
The result is the total linear feet of board to buy.
How Much Shiplap Do I Need?
Measure the wall area, decide your board width and the reveal (gap) between boards, then divide the area by how much one board covers and add waste for cuts. Shiplap is sized by coverage: a board covers its face width times its length, so wider boards mean fewer pieces.
| Board width | Coverage |
|---|---|
| 5.25 in | 0.44 sq ft per ft |
| 6 in | 0.50 sq ft per ft |
| 8 in | 0.67 sq ft per ft |
| 10 in | 0.83 sq ft per ft |
Accent Wall Planning Guide
An accent wall is the highest-impact, lowest-cost version of the project – one wall, a weekend, and a couple hundred dollars. Pick the wall people look at: behind the bed, the sofa, the TV, or a fireplace. Plan the first and last board so you do not end on a sliver – measure the wall height against the board width and, if needed, rip the first board so the top and bottom courses look balanced. Decide where outlets and the TV mount land before you start.
Horizontal vs Vertical Shiplap
Horizontal is the classic look – it widens a room visually and is the easiest to install, nailing into each stud. Vertical makes ceilings feel taller and suits entryways and wainscoting, but it needs horizontal blocking or furring strips between studs to nail into, so it is a little more work. The board count is about the same either way; vertical and diagonal layouts just create a bit more cut waste.
Ceiling Shiplap Guide
Shiplap ceilings (and porch ceilings) are a dramatic upgrade and hide an uneven ceiling well. Run the boards perpendicular to the joists so you have something to nail into, or add furring strips. Work in good light, support long boards with a brace or a helper, and acclimate the boards in the room first – ceilings show every gap. Example: a 12 x 14 ceiling is about 168 sq ft, roughly 35-40 boards of 6 in shiplap depending on length.
MDF vs Pine vs PVC
| Material | Best for |
|---|---|
| MDF / primed | Painted walls – smooth, cheap, paint-ready |
| Pine / wood | Stained or natural – real grain, takes paint or stain |
| PVC / composite | Bathrooms, exteriors – waterproof, no rot |
Primed MDF shiplap is the budget favorite for painted accent walls – dead flat and ready for color. Solid pine or other wood is the choice for a stained or natural finish. PVC and composite cost more but shrug off moisture, so they belong in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoors.
Spacing & Reveal Guide
The reveal is the small, even gap between boards that gives shiplap its signature shadow line. A true tongue-and-groove or nickel-gap board sets the reveal automatically (about 1/8 in); with square-edge boards you set it yourself with a spacer – a coin or a tile spacer. Common reveals: 0 in (tight), 1/8 in (nickel gap, most popular), and 1/4 in (bold shadow). A bigger reveal means slightly more boards, since each board plus its gap covers more height.
Installation Tips
- Find and mark the studs; nail into them (or into blocking for vertical).
- Start level – the first board sets every one above it; do not trust the floor or ceiling to be straight.
- Use a spacer for a consistent reveal.
- Stagger the butt joints between rows and land them on studs.
- Brad or finish nails at each stud; fill and caulk before paint.
- Acclimate the boards in the room for a few days first.
Common Measuring Mistakes & Waste
- No waste factor – cuts and culls add up; use about 10% (15% for vertical, diagonal, or lots of openings).
- Forgetting the reveal – the gap changes how many rows you need.
- Ending on a sliver – plan the first and last board widths.
- Not deducting nothing – for one accent wall, leaving openings in keeps offcuts handy.
- Ignoring board length – longer boards mean fewer butt joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much shiplap do I need?
Wall area divided by board coverage (width times length), plus about 10% waste. Enter your wall above for a board count.
How many boards for an accent wall?
A typical 10 x 8 ft accent wall in 6 in boards is roughly 20 boards of 8 ft, give or take with the reveal and waste.
Horizontal or vertical shiplap?
Horizontal is classic and easiest; vertical makes ceilings feel taller but needs blocking to nail into.
What gap do you leave between shiplap?
About 1/8 in (a nickel gap) is most popular; nickel-gap boards set it for you, or use a spacer.
MDF or wood shiplap?
MDF for painted walls (cheap and smooth), wood for stained or natural, PVC for damp areas.
How much extra should I buy?
About 10% for waste, more for vertical or diagonal layouts – and a spare board for repairs.
Related Wall Covering Calculators
Note: board counts, linear feet, fasteners, and costs are planning estimates and vary by board width, reveal, length, layout, and how many cuts your wall requires. Vertical and diagonal layouts and cut-up walls use more. Wood expands and contracts – acclimate boards, leave a small expansion gap at the ends, and nail into studs or blocking. General DIY guidance, not a professional specification.