finishing
How Much Tongue & Groove Do I Need? (Worked Examples)
T&G math trips people up for one reason: a 1x6 board doesn't cover six inches — it covers about 5⅛ once the tongue disappears into the groove. Get that one number right and the rest is multiplication.
Here are the worked examples, and the calculator that does it for you, the same way our pros figure it on the phone.
In this guide
- Coverage face vs. nominal width
- The waste allowance: 10/15/20% and when each applies
- Worked example: a 16×9 wall
- Ceilings and vaulted spaces
- Ordering from one batch (finish matching)
Skip the math
Our calculators turn measurements into an order list — the same way our pros figure it on the phone.
Draft status: outline + introduction. Full sections are written during the content phase — structure, titles and CTAs are final for review.