How Many Pieces of Siding Are in a Square?

How siding measurements shake out

A suburban house with siding
Photo: Joe Hendrickson / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
A suburban house with siding
Photo: Joe Hendrickson / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
  • A square of siding covers 100 square feet, but the number of pieces varies widely based on the size.

  • Most boxes of siding include one to two squares, enough to cover 100 to 200 square feet.

  • When buying siding, always round up and then add 10% to the total square footage so you don’t run out mid-installation.

  • If you’re hiring a pro for installation, they’ll measure and order siding for you to avoid mistakes.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Ordering siding for your home seems simple, but a surprising number of things can go wrong, especially when you’re converting square footage to squares and squares to boxes of siding. Knowing how many pieces of siding are in a square and how many squares are in a box will set you up for success and help you avoid over-buying or making an emergency trip to the home improvement store to buy more mid-project.

How Big is a Square of Siding

Unless you’re buying individual pieces of siding for minor repairs, you or the siding pro you hire will usually have to buy by the square, which covers 100 square feet. It’s best to estimate how many squares of siding you need rather than the pieces of siding if you’re doing a full or partial siding replacement or carrying out major siding repairs.

How Many Pieces of Siding Are in a Square?

The number of pieces of siding per square depends on the type and style of siding. If you’re buying shakes or shingles, each piece will cover less than two square feet, which means each square will contain 50 to 100 pieces of siding. For fiber cement planks or clapboard vinyl siding dimensions, double 4-inch panels that are 10 feet long will each cover three square feet, meaning you’ll have 30 to 35 pieces per square.

Siding StylePieces Per Square
12”x12” shakes100
24”x24” shakes50
8”x10’ planks (double 4”)15–18
9”x10’ planks (double 4.5”)12–15
8”x12’ planks (double 4”)12–15
9”x12’ planks (double 4.5”)10–12
1’x4’ stone/brick facade25
2’x4’ stone/brick facade12–14

How Many Pieces of Siding Are in a Box?

A man buying siding for a house
Photo: Sergey Cherevko / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Most boxes of siding contain one to two squares and will cover 100 to 200 square feet, but the number of pieces per box will depend on the style. For shingles, a box will contain between 100 and 200 pieces of siding, while clapboard or plank-style siding boxes will contain 30 to 70 pieces of siding.

Calculating How Much Siding You Need

Calculating how much siding you need first requires that you measure the square footage you need to cover. You can measure all of the faces of your home you’re re-siding and then add the square footage together to get the total. Measure wall openings for doors and windows and subtract that square footage.

Once you know the square footage you need, add 10% to account for cut-offs and waste, round up to the nearest hundred, and then divide by 100 to calculate how many squares of siding you need. Check the boxes you’re purchasing to see how many squares they contain.

Alternatively, if you’re hiring a local siding contractor to complete the installation, you can have your pro measure your home and order the appropriate amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the materials alone, a square of siding costs an average of $600, but prices can range from $100 to $3,000, depending on the material. Vinyl siding costs toward the lower end of that range, while real brick or stone siding costs closer to the higher end. Keep in mind that many boxes of siding contain two squares, enough to cover 200 square feet, so you may need to double your cost if you only need one square.

The average cost to replace siding is $11,600 including materials and labor, and most homeowners pay between $5,600 and $17,700. Your total will depend on the type and style of siding you install and the size and complexity of your house. You may need to budget an additional $1,000 to $3,000 to remove your old siding, too.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to siding services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Log cabin in forest with mature landscaping
Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
Love the rustic look of log cabins but want a more durable siding? Use this vinyl log siding cost guide to see if this is a good alternative for your home.
Worker replacing exterior vinyl siding on a residential home using a ladder and scaffold, with garden planters below
Jun 4, 2025
Jun 4, 2025
Siding replacement costs around $11,000 on average, but several factors influence what you’ll pay. Our guide breaks down all the siding cost factors.
The exterior of a house with Hardie Board siding
Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
The cost of Hardie board siding depends on the size of your home and the style and color you choose. Get a more accurate estimate with our in-depth cost guide.
small house with grey siding
Jun 4, 2025
Jun 4, 2025
Lap siding is a common siding style available in various materials. Learn what lap siding is, its pros and cons, and how much it costs.
A house with beige siding on a sunny day
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
Confused by the differences between cladding vs. siding? You’re not alone. The terms are used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences.
Contractor replacing a section of siding on the house
Jun 4, 2025
Jun 4, 2025
Discontinued siding can make repairs or replacement difficult. Learn how to tell if your siding is discontinued and how to avoid siding replacement issues.