Board and batten is a classic siding pattern that has become popular on interior feature walls. Vertical battens are fixed over panels or boards at regular intervals; the look depends on getting equal spacing from one end of the wall to the other, with a batten at each edge.
How to use the Board and Batten Calculator
- Wall width
- Wall height
- Batten width
- Target gap between battens
- Batten stock length
- Waste
- Price per batten piece
- Price per 4 × 8 backing panel (0 if none)
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the wall width and height, the batten width and the spacing you would like. The calculator rounds to a whole number of battens, recalculates the exact gap, and works out batten pieces from the stock length and backing sheets from the wall area.
Tip
If the exact gap is awkward to measure, adjust the batten width or target gap until it comes out to a simple fraction – for example 15¾ in instead of 15.73 in.
Tips for an accurate estimate
- Sketch the job and split irregular areas into rectangles, circles and triangles before you measure.
- Add a waste allowance – typically 5–10% for simple layouts and 15–20% for diagonal, curved or heavily cut work.
- Check the coverage or yield printed on the product, because sizes and densities vary between manufacturers.
- Buy all units of a finished material (tile, brick, siding) from the same batch so colours match, and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Confirm local prices – quarry, lumber and steel prices vary widely by region and season.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering exactly the calculated amount with no allowance for breakage, offcuts and settlement.
- Forgetting to subtract doors, windows and other openings – or subtracting small ones that still need cutting around.
- Confusing US short tons (2,000 lb) with metric tonnes (1,000 kg) when comparing quotes.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Wall width | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Wall height | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Batten width | Units: in, cm, mm, ft, m |
| Target gap between battens | Units: in, cm, mm, ft, m |
| Batten stock length | Choose one: 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft … |
| Waste | In % |
| Price per batten piece | Units: /piece |
| Price per 4 × 8 backing panel (0 if none) | Units: /piece |
What each result means
- Number of battens = round(([Wall width] – [Batten width])÷([Target gap between battens] + [Batten width])) + 1
- Exact gap between battens = ([Wall width] – [Number of battens]×[Batten width])÷([Number of battens] – 1)
- Total batten length = [Number of battens]×[Wall height]
- Batten pieces to buy = ceil([Number of battens]×ceil([Wall height]÷[Batten stock length] – 0.000001)×(1 + [Waste]÷100))
- Backing panels (4 × 8) = ceil([Wall width]×[Wall height]÷2.9729×(1 + [Waste]÷100))
- Total cost = [Batten pieces to buy]×[Price per batten piece] + [Backing panels (4 × 8)]×[Price per 4 × 8 backing panel (0 if none)]
Example values
How the main result changes when Wall width changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Wall width (ft) | Number of battens |
|---|---|
| 6 | 5 |
| 9 | 7 |
| 12 | 9 |
| 15 | 11 |
| 18 | 13 |
| 24 | 16 |
Formula
n = round((W − b) ÷ (s + b)) + 1Exact gap = (W − n × b) ÷ (n − 1)Batten length = n × wall heightWorked example
Inputs — Wall width: 12 ft; Wall height: 8 ft; Batten width: 2.5 in; Target gap between battens: 16 in; Batten stock length: 8 ft; Waste: 10 %; Price per batten piece: $6 /piece; Price per 4 × 8 backing panel (0 if none): $35 /piece.
Results — Number of battens = 9; Exact gap between battens = 15.188 in; Total batten length = 72 ft; Batten pieces to buy = 10; Backing panels (4 × 8) = 4; Total cost = $200.00.
Frequently asked questions
What spacing is typical for board and batten?
12–24 in between battens on exterior siding; 12–18 in looks best on interior feature walls.
How wide should the battens be?
2–3½ in for interior walls and 2½–3½ in on exterior siding.
Should there be a batten at each end?
Yes – this layout assumes battens at both edges, so the pattern looks balanced.
What formula does the Board and Batten Calculator use?
n = round((W − b) ÷ (s + b)) + 1.