Board and Batten Calculator
Enter a wall's width and height and the batten width, choose a set number of battens, a largest gap or a board width, and get every batten mark measured from the wall's left edge, with the stock pieces to buy.
Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.
Example: an eight foot wall with five battens
5 batten pieces
- Gap between battens and at the ends 14.75 in
- Center to center 16.25 in
Estimate for planning, from what you entered and the product data shown. Check product labels and your supplier before you buy.
Your project
Enter a size to see your total.
Each product is rounded up once for the whole project, so the total can be less than the items bought alone added together. A line counted from a cut layout (sheets, boards or tiles laid out piece by piece) is counted for each item and added.
Shopping list
| Item | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Battens | batten pieces | 5 |
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Worked example: an eight foot wall with five battens
Show the working
- Width the battens take 5 battens × 1.5 in = 7.5 in
- Wall left for gaps 8 ft − 7.5 in = 88.5 in
- Gaps: one more than the battens, so the wall ends in a gap 88.5 in ÷ 6 gaps = 14.75 in
- Pieces: each batten is as long as the wall is high, cut from one stock piece 5 battens = 5 batten pieces
Assumptions
The figures behind the example. Sourced figures link to their source below; a default is a starting value to check against your label or supplier.
| Assumption | Value | Details and changes |
|---|---|---|
| Batten width | 1.5 in | |
| Default An example size. Check your label or supplier. | ||
| Stock piece length | 96 in | |
| Default An example length. Check your label or supplier. | ||
Feet and inches, like 12' 6"
Where to mark each batten
Left edge, center and right edge of each batten, measured from the left side of the example wall
| Batten | Left edge | Center | Right edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batten 1 | 14.75 in | 15.5 in | 16.25 in |
| Batten 2 | 31 in | 31.75 in | 32.5 in |
| Batten 3 | 47.25 in | 48 in | 48.75 in |
| Batten 4 | 63.5 in | 64.25 in | 65 in |
| Batten 5 | 79.75 in | 80.5 in | 81.25 in |
Every mark is measured from the wall's left edge, never from the batten before it, so a slip does not carry along the wall.
Gap for other numbers of battens
The gap on the example wall for three to eight battens, with a gap at each end
| Battens | Gap | Center to center |
|---|---|---|
| 3 battens | 22.88 in | 24.38 in |
| 4 battens | 18 in | 19.5 in |
| 5 battens | 14.75 in | 16.25 in |
| 6 battens | 12.43 in | 13.93 in |
| 7 battens | 10.69 in | 12.19 in |
| 8 battens | 9.33 in | 10.83 in |
Questions
What is the spacing for board and batten on a wall?
Take the batten widths off the wall and share what is left equally between the gaps. With a gap at each end there is one more gap than there are battens. The table lists every mark from the wall's left edge.
How many battens do I need?
Choose a set number, or give a largest gap or a board width and the calculator finds the fewest battens that keep every gap within it. Each batten is as long as the wall is high, less any rail.
Battens or boards: what is the difference here?
Choosing a board width counts the exposed board between battens, with a batten over every joint. Choosing a largest gap does the same sum on the gap between battens. Both give batten marks; this page does not lay out picture-frame boxes.