Wall Panel Calculator

Board and Batten Calculator

Enter your wall width and batten size to get perfectly even batten spacing, a scaled elevation drawing, and a downloadable cut list.

Panel Width
17.08 in
computed
Stiles TotalTotal width taken up by all vertical stiles: left terminating + right terminating + internal stiles between panels. This value is subtracted from the wall width before panel widths are calculated.
17.5 in
left + right + internal
Status
OK

Elevation

Pattern: Even Panels · Scale: 8 px/in
17 1/16"17 1/16"17 1/16"17 1/16"17 1/16"17 1/16"60" tall019 9/16"39 3/16"58 3/4"78 5/16"97 15/16"117 1/2"marks120 in
Exports
SVG / PNG elevation and CSV cut list.
How to use

Quick setup and common defaults

Wall

Enter the full wall width. If you are centering around a mirror or window, set Feature Center then use Snap to Center.

Stiles

End Batten sets both ends at once and Batten Width sets the ones between. The most common batten is a 1×3 (2.5 in); a 1×4 (3.5 in) suits taller walls.

Panels

Set # Spaces (open fields between battens). The tool keeps spacing even and inserts a batten between each space.

Snap to Center
Center your layout around a feature (mirror, vanity, TV, window, etc.) so the finished wall looks intentional.
  • Feature Center represents the distance from the left edge of the wall to an important visual reference (window, outlet, fixture, sconce, etc.).
  • Clicking Snap to Center adjusts the left and right terminating stiles so that the center of a panel aligns with the Feature Center.
  • The calculator evaluates all panels and snaps to the one that produces the smallest movement.
  • Panel count and internal stile widths are not changed. Only the terminating stiles are adjusted.
  • If the layout is already centered, snapping may result in no visible change.

How the board and batten calculator works

Board and batten only looks right when every gap between battens is identical. The calculator subtracts the two end battens and every internal batten from your wall width, then divides the remainder evenly across the number of spaces. Change the space count until the spacing lands between 12 and 24 inches and the battens clear your outlets, switches, and window casings.

The defaults model a 10 ft wall with 1×3 battens and six spaces at a two-thirds wall height. Once the layout looks right, export the PNG to keep on site and the CSV cut list for the lumber yard.

Board and batten spacing FAQ

How far apart should board and batten be spaced?
Most board and batten walls space battens 12 to 24 inches apart, with 16 to 20 inches the most common. Enter your wall width and batten width, then adjust the number of spaces until the spacing lands in that range and the battens miss outlets and switches.
How do you calculate board and batten spacing?
Spacing = (wall width − end battens − internal battens × (spaces − 1)) ÷ spaces. A 120 in wall with 2.5 in battens and 6 spaces gives (120 − 5 − 12.5) ÷ 6 ≈ 17.1 in between battens. Every gap is identical, so the layout reads as intentional.
What size boards are used for battens?
A 1×3 (2.5 in actual) is the most popular batten for interior walls. Use 1×2 (1.5 in) for a lighter, modern look on small walls, and 1×4 (3.5 in) for tall walls or a chunkier farmhouse style. Keep every batten the same width.
How tall should board and batten be?
Chair-rail height (32 to 36 in) suits dining rooms and hallways. Two-thirds height (60 to 66 in on an 8 ft wall) is the most popular modern choice for bedrooms and entries. Full-height board and batten works well on accent walls behind a bed or TV.
How many battens do I need?
Battens = spaces + 1, because there is a batten at each end of the wall plus one between every pair of spaces. Six spaces need seven battens. The CSV cut list export counts the end battens and internal battens separately.

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