Planning a board and batten wall? Type in the wall size and the board and batten widths. You get the number of boards and battens, the pieces to buy, and the board width that gives an even fit.
Your shopping list
25Boards across the wall
24Battens
28Board pieces to buy
- Batten pieces to buy27
- Board length in totalIncludes extra247.5 ft
- Batten length in totalIncludes extra237.6 ft
- Center to center of battens9.75 in
- Board width for an even fitCut boards to this width so both ends match9.12 in
- Wall area to cover180 sq ft
Boards are 9.25 in wide with a 0.5 in gap. Openings are taken out of the boards as an estimate.
How to use the Board and Batten Calculator
- Measure the wall width and height. Take out windows and doors by adding their area.
- Enter the board width, the gap between boards, and the batten width. The batten must be wider than the gap.
- Pick the length of boards your store sells and leave the extra at 10%.
- Read your list, then tap “Copy my list” and take it to the store.
The math behind it
Boards = (wall width + gap) / (board width + gap), rounded up
Battens = boards – 1 (add 2 if you want battens at both wall ends)
Even board width = (wall width – gaps) / boards
Pieces = boards / how many fit in one stock length, rounded up
A worked example
What we typed in
- Wall width: 24 ft
- Wall height: 10 ft
- Board width: 9.25 in
- Gap between boards: 0.5 in
- Batten width: 2.5 in
- Battens at both wall ends: No
- Windows and doors (total area): 40 sq ft
- Length of boards you buy: 12 ft
- Extra for mistakes and cuts: 10%
What we got
- Boards across the wall: 30
- Battens: 29
- Board pieces to buy: 28
- Batten pieces to buy: 32
- Board length in total: 275.85 ft
- Batten length in total: 319 ft
- Center to center of battens: 9.75 in
- Board width for an even fit: 9.12 in
- Wall area to cover: 200 sq ft
Tips from the job site
- Buy boards a little longer than the wall height, so you can trim both ends.
- Use the even board width so the first and last boards match.
- Nail the boards first, then cover each gap with a batten.
Common questions
How many battens do I need?
One for every gap between boards, so boards minus one. Add 2 if you want a batten at both ends of the wall.
What is the real width of a 1×10 or 1×3?
A 1×10 is 9.25 in wide and a 1×3 is 2.5 in wide. Always use the real width.
Is the result exact?
It is a careful estimate. Check with your supplier before you buy.
See all Wall Calculators.
Last checked: (worked example and form display).