Board and Batten Calculator
Calculate batten spacing, board count, linear feet, and waste for board and batten wall or siding layouts. Use target spacing when you want the calculator to find the closest even layout. Use fixed batten count when you already know how many battens you want. Edge battens are included, and spacing is measured as the open gap between battens.
Results
Board and batten layouts depend on actual board width, wall framing, trim details, and how you want the edges to land. Use the calculated spacing and board count as a layout starting point, then confirm the final pattern on the wall before cutting.
How to use this calculator
- 01Enter the wall width, wall height, and batten width.
- 02Choose target spacing if you want the calculator to find a balanced layout close to your preferred gap.
- 03Choose fixed batten count if you already know how many battens you want across the wall.
- 04Turn on top rail or bottom rail if your layout uses horizontal boards.
- 05Add waste, board length, and price per board to estimate boards to buy and material cost.
Understanding the math
This calculator treats the first and last battens as edge battens. If a layout has N battens, it has N - 1 open spaces between them. In fixed batten count mode, the calculator subtracts the total batten width from the wall width, then divides the remaining space evenly. In target spacing mode, it tests nearby batten counts and chooses the layout with an open gap closest to your target. Linear feet come from vertical battens plus any top or bottom rails, then waste is added before board count is rounded up.
Spaces = battens - 1 Open gap = (wall width - battens × batten width) / spaces Center-to-center = open gap + batten width Vertical linear ft = battens × wall height Rail linear ft = wall width × rails selected Boards to buy = linear feet with waste / board length
For a 120 in wide by 96 in tall wall using 2.5 in battens and a target 16 in open gap, the closest balanced layout uses 8 battens and 7 spaces. The open gap is (120 - 8 × 2.5) / 7 = 14.29 in. Center-to-center spacing is 14.29 + 2.5 = 16.79 in. Vertical board length is 8 × 8 ft = 64 linear ft. With 10 percent waste, order length is 70.4 linear ft, so 8 ft boards round up to 9 boards.
Board and batten spacing reference
Use these common layout values as a starting point, then adjust for your wall width and board size.
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common open gap | 12 to 18 in | Typical range for interior walls and siding accents |
| Narrow layout | 10 to 12 in | More battens and a tighter pattern |
| Wide layout | 18 to 24 in | Fewer battens and a more open pattern |
| Common batten width | 1.5 to 3.5 in | Often based on 1x2, 1x3, or 1x4 boards |
| Common board length | 8 ft | Easy default for estimating boards to buy |
Frequently asked questions
How to calculate for board and batten?
Measure the wall width and choose your batten width. Decide whether you want a target open gap or a fixed number of battens. The calculator includes edge battens, subtracts the total batten width from the wall width, and divides the remaining space into equal gaps. It then uses wall height, rails, waste, and board length to estimate linear feet and boards to buy.
How far apart should board and batten be?
Most board and batten layouts use open gaps around 12 to 18 inches, but the best spacing depends on wall width, batten width, and the look you want. Narrow spacing uses more battens and feels busier. Wider spacing uses fewer battens and feels more open. The calculator adjusts the gap so the layout fits evenly across the wall.
What size boards for board and batten?
Common batten sizes include 1x2, 1x3, and 1x4 boards. A 1x2 is often about 1.5 inches wide, a 1x3 is about 2.5 inches wide, and a 1x4 is about 3.5 inches wide. Use the actual measured board width in the calculator because nominal lumber sizes are not the same as real board dimensions.
How much is board and batten siding?
Cost depends on board type, wall size, spacing, waste, and whether the layout includes top or bottom rails. This calculator estimates boards to buy and material cost when you enter a price per board. It does not include labor, trim details, paint, fasteners, or local supplier pricing.
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