Wainscot Planner

Enter your ceiling height and wall widths. Panel sizes, drawings and a cut list update as you type.

Panel schedule

WallWall widthPanelsPanel widthsPanel heightEnd revealBetween

Cut list and material

Install tips
  1. Sizes are outside of the molding. Cut each piece to the long point, 45° miters, four per panel.
  2. Measure clear wall. On door walls, measure from the inside corner to the edge of the casing.
  3. Strike verticals floor to ceiling first. Aligned upper panels share the same lines, so mark them once per wall.
  4. Hang uppers before lowers. Any error gets absorbed at the baseboard.
  5. Level each row of panels with a laser. Don't measure off the floor or ceiling.
  6. Fasten into framing. Chair rail and base into studs; panel molding with 1¼" 18 ga brads and adhesive.
  7. Back-prime, then caulk and paint as one surface.

Common questions

How do I space picture frame molding evenly?

Start with the clear wall width. Subtract a reveal at each end and an equal gap between boxes, then divide what's left by the number of boxes. The planner does this for every wall and rounds each size to the nearest 1/8".

What size should wainscot boxes be?

Most layouts keep 3 to 4" reveals and the same gap between boxes. On a long wall, an odd number of boxes with a wider center box gives the wall a focal point. Use Center × to set how much wider it is.

How high should a chair rail be?

A common rule is about one third of the wall height, which puts the top of the rail at 32 to 36" in a room with 8 ft ceilings. Raise it for taller ceilings.

How much molding do I need?

Each box takes two rails and two stiles, all mitered. The cut list totals the linear feet for every wall and adds 15% for miter waste, plus chair rail and baseboard counted in 8 ft sticks.

Can I add panels above the chair rail?

Yes. Check Upper panels on a wall. Aligned with lower repeats the lower box widths so the verticals line up floor to ceiling. Single panel and Wide center are the other options.