This study presents a simplifled calculation method for required ductility of coupling beams in precast coupled shear walls at preliminary seismic design stages. Deflection of precast coupled shear walls based on a continuum approach is combined with inelastic gap opening of horizontal connection of panels to provide a relationship between the system-level ductility and the element-level ductility in a precast coupled shear wall. The equation proposed herein for ductility requirement for coupling beams shows that higher stiffness and lower strength of coupling beams result in high ductility reuqirement. The equation also shows that the ductility requirement is proportional to the degree of gap opening of the story in question. However, the coupling beam ductility in higher stories are not affected by gap openings of horizontal connections of panel.