Planning wainscoting? Enter the wall length and height. You get the panel sheets, the trim boards and the paint, with doors and extra for cuts already included.
Your shopping list
6Panel sheets to buy
11Trim pieces to buy
111 sq ftWainscoting area
- Wall pieces to cutEach piece is 48 in wide10
- Trim length in totalIncludes extra81.4 ft
- Wall run after openings37 ft
- PaintCheck the can for exact coverage0.7 gal
Panels are cut across the sheet. Pieces include 10% extra. Adhesive, nails and caulk are not counted. See the Paint, Caulk and Nails calculator.
How to use the Wainscoting Calculator
- Add up the length of every wall that gets wainscoting. Take out the width of doors and other openings.
- Enter the height you want. 32 to 36 in is common. Pick your sheet size.
- Choose how many trim runs you want: chair rail, baseboard and a cap.
- Read your list, then tap “Copy my list” and take it to the store.
The math behind it
Wall run = total length – door and opening widths
Wall pieces = wall run (in) / 48, rounded up
Pieces per sheet = sheet length (in) / height (in), rounded down
Sheets = wall pieces / pieces per sheet, plus extra, rounded up
A worked example
What we typed in
- Total wall length to cover: 56 ft
- Wainscoting height: 42 in
- Doors and openings (total width): 6 ft
- Panel sheet size: 4 x 9 ft sheet
- Length of trim boards you buy: 8 ft
- Trim runs along the wall: 3 runs (rail, baseboard and cap)
- Coats of paint: 2 coats
- Extra for mistakes and cuts: 10%
What we got
- Panel sheets to buy: 8
- Trim pieces to buy: 21
- Wainscoting area: 175 sq ft
- Wall pieces to cut: 13
- Trim length in total: 165 ft
- Wall run after openings: 50 ft
- Paint: 1.1 gal
Tips from the job site
- Cut panels across the sheet so that each piece is 48 in wide with no seams to join.
- Dry fit the panels and mark the outlets and switches before you glue.
- Paint the panels before you hang them. It is much faster.
Common questions
How many sheets of paneling do I need for wainscoting?
Divide the wall run in inches by 48 to get the pieces. Then divide by the pieces you can cut from one sheet. A 4 x 8 sheet gives two 36 in pieces.
How tall should wainscoting be?
Between 32 and 36 in works in most rooms. Use the Height Calculator for taller rooms.
Do I take out the doors?
Yes. Enter the total width of doors and wide openings. Windows above the wainscoting do not count.
See all Wall Calculators.
Last checked: (worked example and form display).