Board and Batten Calculator
Enter your wall size and batten width to get how many battens you need, the exact spacing so every gap is equal, where to mark each batten and how many boards to buy. Works for full walls, wainscoting and grid accent walls.
Batten spacing for common walls
With a batten at each end of the wall:
| Wall width | Batten | Target gap | Battens | Exact gap (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 1x3 (2.5 in) | 16 in | 6 | 16.19 |
| 10 ft | 1x3 (2.5 in) | 16 in | 7 | 17.06 |
| 12 ft | 1x3 (2.5 in) | 16 in | 9 | 15.19 |
| 14 ft | 1x4 (3.5 in) | 16 in | 9 | 17.06 |
| 10 ft | 1x3 (2.5 in) | 12 in | 9 | 12.19 |
| 12 ft | 1x4 (3.5 in) | 20 in | 7 | 19.94 |
| 15 ft | 1x4 (3.5 in) | 20 in | 9 | 18.56 |
How to lay out board and batten
- Measure the wall at the bottom, middle and top with a tape measure, and use the smallest width. Walls are rarely perfectly square.
- Pick a batten and a target gap. The calculator rounds the number of battens so the gap comes out as close to your target as possible, with every gap equal.
- Mark the positions from the left corner using the list under the drawing, and use a level or laser to draw a plumb line at each mark.
- Install the top rail first (if you have one), then the verticals, glued and nailed into studs where you can. For a grid, cut the horizontal pieces to fit between the verticals.
- Caulk the seams, fill the nail holes and paint.
Common batten sizes
| Board | Actual size | Looks |
|---|---|---|
| 1x2 | ¾ × 1½ in | Thin and delicate; small walls and grids |
| 1x3 | ¾ × 2½ in | The most common batten |
| 1x4 | ¾ × 3½ in | Bold battens, top rails and frames |
| 1x6 | ¾ × 5½ in | Wide top rails and baseboards |
Board names are nominal: a 1x3 is really ¾ × 2½ inches. See lumber sizes: actual vs nominal.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should board and batten be spaced?
Most walls look best with 12 to 24 inches between battens; 16 inches is the most common because it lines up with wall studs, which makes nailing easy. Narrow spacing (12 in or less) looks busier and suits small walls; wide spacing (20–24 in) suits tall or long walls. Adjust the spacing slightly so every gap on the wall is the same.
How many battens do I need for a 10 foot wall?
With 1x3 battens (2.5 in wide) and a target gap of about 16 inches, a 10 ft (120 in) wall takes 7 battens, including one at each end, with gaps of just over 17 inches. Use the calculator for the exact spacing on your wall.
How do I calculate batten spacing so it's even?
Subtract the total width of the battens from the wall width, then divide by the number of gaps. With battens at both ends, there is one gap fewer than battens: on a 120 in wall with 7 battens of 2.5 in, (120 − 17.5) ÷ 6 = 17.08 in between battens.
How high should board and batten wainscoting be?
About one third of the wall height is the classic choice: 32 to 36 inches on an 8 ft wall. Taller styles at about two thirds of the wall (60 to 66 inches) are popular in modern rooms, and full-height battens suit accent walls and bedrooms.
What wood should I use for battens?
Primed MDF or pine in 1x2, 1x3 or 1x4 sizes is the usual choice for painted interior walls; MDF is cheaper and very straight. In bathrooms use PVC or moisture-resistant boards. On a textured wall, put a smooth backer like 1/4 in plywood or hardboard behind the battens.
Planning picture-frame boxes instead? Use the wainscoting calculator. For horizontal planks, the shiplap calculator.