Building a board and batten accent wall or wainscoting inside? Enter the wall width and how tall the paneling will be. You get the battens, the cut length, the top rail and the paint.
Your shopping list
10Battens
6Batten pieces to buy
2Top rail pieces to buy
- Batten lengthCut each batten to this length39 in
- Exact spacingCenter to center, first and last battens at the wall ends15.72 in
- Paneling area48 sq ft
- PaintCheck the can for exact coverage0.3 gal
Pieces include 10% extra. Paint covers the paneling face only. Check the can for coverage.
How to use the Accent Wall Calculator
- Measure the wall width.
- Choose the paneling height, top rail width and baseboard height.
- Pick the batten spacing. 12 to 16 in is common.
- Read your list and cut each batten to the length shown.
The math behind it
Battens = (wall width – batten width) / spacing, rounded up, plus 1
Batten length = paneling height – top rail – baseboard
Paint = area x coats / 350 sq ft per gallon, plus extra
A worked example
What we typed in
- Wall width: 14 ft
- Height of the paneling: 54 in
- Batten spacing, center to center: 14 in
- Batten width: 2.5 in
- Top rail width: 3.5 in
- Baseboard height: 5.5 in
- Length of boards you buy: 8 ft
- Coats of paint: 2 coats
- Extra for mistakes and cuts: 10%
What we got
- Battens: 13
- Batten pieces to buy: 8
- Top rail pieces to buy: 2
- Batten length: 45 in
- Exact spacing: 13.79 in
- Paneling area: 63 sq ft
- Paint: 0.4 gal
Tips from the job site
- Use thin plywood or MDF to save money.
- Caulk the gaps and paint with semi-gloss for a smooth finish.
- Fix the top rail first, then fit the battens under it.
Common questions
How high should the paneling be?
One third of the wall height is common, so about 3 to 4 ft in a standard room.
Do I put battens in the corners?
Yes. This calculator puts the first and last batten at the wall ends.
Do I need a baseboard?
Most walls have one. Enter 0 if you do not.
See all Wall Calculators.
Last checked: (worked example and form display).