Gable siding calculator

Gable ends are the triangles of wall between the eaves and the ridge. Their area is easy to forget and adds a lot on a steep roof. SidingCalc works out the gable height from the width of the house and the roof pitch, the area of each triangle, and the length of the sloping rakes, which need J-channel or trim. This page starts with a 36 × 24 ft house with 8 ft walls and two 6/12 gables, so each gable is 6 ft high and 72 sq ft.

Feet and inches
Trim settings
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    Set the number of gable ends to match your roof: 2 for a simple gable roof, 0 for a hip roof.

    How the siding calculator works

    SidingCalc adds the four walls, 2 × (length + width) × wall height, and the gable triangles, ½ × width × gable height, where the gable height is half the width × pitch ÷ 12. It subtracts each window, door and garage door (count × width × height), adds the waste allowance and divides by 100 for squares. Lap planks = order area ÷ (plank length × exposure). Trim is rounded up to whole pieces.

    Lap plank coverage (12 ft planks)

    PlankExposureSq ft per plankPlanks per square
    5¼″ fiber cement plank4″425
    6¼″ fiber cement plank5″520
    7¼″ fiber cement plank6″616.7
    8¼″ fiber cement plank7″714.3
    9¼″ fiber cement plank8″812.5

    Gable height by roof pitch (24 ft wide house)

    PitchGable heightArea per gable
    4/124 ft48 sq ft
    6/126 ft72 sq ft
    8/128 ft96 sq ft
    10/1210 ft120 sq ft
    12/1212 ft144 sq ft

    Exposures are typical for fiber cement lap siding; follow the manufacturer's installation guide for your product. Box coverage and trim lengths vary by brand. Results are estimates: check them against your own wall measurements and your supplier's take-off before you order.

    Frequently asked questions

    How high is a 6/12 gable on a 24 ft house?

    12 ft (half the width) × 6 ÷ 12 = 6 ft.

    How long is the rake of a gable?

    The hypotenuse of half the width and the gable height: √(12² + 6²) = 13.4 ft for a 24 ft wide 6/12 gable, on each side.

    Do hip roofs have gables?

    No. Enter 0 gable ends for a hip roof.

    Is SidingCalc free?

    Yes, with no sign-up or ads.

    Are my measurements saved?

    Yes, in this browser only.

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