How the board and batten spacing calculator works
Board and batten looks best when the gaps between the battens are all exactly the same, and when a batten sits at each end of the wall. The calculator does the maths for you. Enter the wall width, choose a batten board and how far apart you want them, and it gives you the number of battens, the exact gap, the length of each batten, the number of boards to buy and the position of every batten.
Choose Full wall if the battens run from the baseboard to the ceiling, or Half wall for wainscot style, where they run between the baseboard and a top rail.
The spacing formula
With a batten at both ends, the gaps are the wall width minus the batten widths, divided equally between the spaces:
Gap = (wall width − number of battens × batten width) ÷ (number of battens − 1)
The calculator tries every number of battens, and shows the one that gives a gap closest to the look you want, along with a few close alternatives.
How far apart should battens be?
| Look | Gap | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Close | about 8 in | Small rooms, hallways and a traditional look |
| Classic | about 12 in | Most walls, and the most popular choice |
| Wide | about 16 in | Large walls and modern rooms |
| Extra wide | about 20 in | Tall walls with a bold, simple look |
Taller walls can take wider gaps, while narrow walls look best with closer ones.
Which batten board should you use?
- 1×2 (1.5 in wide) is the slimmest option and works for a delicate, traditional look.
- 1×3 (2.5 in wide) is the most common choice and suits most rooms.
- 1×4 (3.5 in wide) gives a bolder look on big walls and tall ceilings.
- 1×6 (5.5 in wide) is a very bold, modern look.
The sizes are nominal. The real width is a little smaller than the name suggests, and the calculator uses the actual widths.
Worked examples
A 12 ft wall with 1×3 battens
On a 144 in wall at the classic look, the calculator suggests 11 battens with a gap of about 11 5/8 in. On an 8 ft ceiling with a 5.5 in baseboard, each batten is 90 1/2 in long, so you buy 11 boards that are 8 ft long.
An 8 ft wall with 1×3 battens and close spacing
You need 10 battens with a gap of about 7 7/8 in.
A 10 ft half wall, 48 in high
With a 5.5 in baseboard and a 3.5 in top rail, each batten is 39 in long. Nine battens with gaps of about 12 in fit. Two battens come out of each 8 ft board.
How to install board and batten
- Prime and paint the wall first. Painting it before you add the battens gives crisper lines.
- Mark the position of every batten from the left corner, using the table in the calculator. Mark both edges.
- Draw a level line, or use a laser level, to mark the top and bottom.
- Fix each batten with construction adhesive and a nail gun. Check that it is plumb before it dries.
- Fill the nail holes and caulk every seam. The caulk gives a neat finish.
- Paint the finished wall with a semi-gloss or satin paint.
Common mistakes
- Not planning the end battens. If you start at the corner with a full gap, the last space will be a different size.
- Ignoring that walls are not straight. Measure at the top and the bottom. If they differ, use the smaller number.
- Forgetting windows, doors and outlets. Plan the spacing so a batten does not land awkwardly beside an opening, or move the layout by one batten to fix it.
- Skipping the level. A batten that leans by a few millimetres looks wrong when the others are straight.
- Buying exactly the number of boards. Buy one extra board for mistakes.
Tips
- Use a spacer block cut to the gap width so every gap is identical while you nail.
- For a half wall, a common panel height is one third of the wall, or about 36 to 60 in.
- Choose a paint colour that looks good in your light. The battens cast small shadows that add depth.
