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Board and Batten Calculator
Your wall
Example: 12 ft × 8 ft wall, 16 in spacing → 10 battens, 80 ft (88 ft with 10% waste), 11 boards.
Behind the numbers
How board and batten is calculated
Battens run vertically from floor to ceiling. The first batten sits at the left edge, then one every spacing inches on-center, plus a final batten at the right edge — so the count is floor(wall width in inches ÷ spacing) + 1. Total batten length is count × wall height. Add your waste % for cuts and mistakes, then divide by the board length you buy to get how many boards to purchase (rounded up).
Wall width 12 ft = 144 in. 144 ÷ 16 = 9, + 1 end batten = 10 battens. 10 × 8 ft height = 80 linear ft. With 10% waste: 80 × 1.10 = 88 ft, so 88 ÷ 8 ft boards = 11 boards.
Reference
Common spacings
| Wall width | Spacing | Battens (8 ft high) | Total length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 12 in | 11 | 88 ft |
| 12 ft | 16 in | 10 | 80 ft |
| 12 ft | 12 in | 13 | 104 ft |
| 16 ft | 16 in | 13 | 104 ft |
| 20 ft | 24 in | 11 | 88 ft |
Tips before you buy
Measure the wall at floor and ceiling — old walls are rarely square; use the wider measurement.
Mark studs first: battens nailed into studs hold far better than into drywall alone.
Buy one extra board beyond the waste allowance if your wall has outlets or corners to cut around.
Paint or stain battens before installing them; touch up the nail holes after.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should board and batten strips be?
12 to 16 inches on-center is the most common look for interior accent walls; 18 to 24 inches suits larger rooms and exterior siding. Wider spacing uses fewer battens but looks sparser.
Do I count a batten at both ends of the wall?
Yes — this calculator puts one at each edge and spaces the rest evenly between them, which is how most installers do it. If you skip the end battens, subtract 1 from the count.
What size batten should I use?
1×2 or 1×3 boards (actual 0.75 in × 1.5 in or 2.5 in) are standard indoors. The batten width changes the look, not the count — spacing is measured on-center.
How much does board and batten cost?
Material only, roughly $1–$3 per square foot for pine battens and backing, before paint. Multiply your wall area by that range for a rough budget, then get a local quote for exact pricing.