wall trim lab.

FREE WALL LAYOUT PLANNER

Board and batten calculator

Use this board and batten spacing calculator to find even gaps, check a window or outlet, and print a trim cut list. Work in inches or centimeters.

1 Set your dimensions

Wall measurements
in
in

Height includes the top and bottom rails.

Boards & spacing
in
in

Includes a batten at each edge.

%

Use actual face widths, not nominal board sizes.

Plan around an obstacle

2 Preview your layout

FRONT VIEW
No obstacle is shown in this drawing.144 in60 in123455 equal gaps · 24.6 in clear
Wall: 144 × 60 inProportional diagram · measurements roundedMeasuring guide
Clear gap24.6in
Batten cut length53in
Total cut pieces8pieces

3 Your cut list

SQUARE CUTS
Cut pieces and dimensions
PieceQtyLengthFace width
Vertical battensSquare ends653 in3.5 in
Top & bottom railsSquare ends2144 in3.5 in
Trim length 50.5 ftWith 10% extra 55.55 ft

Total length is not a stock-board count. Check available lengths, saw kerf, defects, and offcuts before buying. Top and bottom rails run full width; battens fit between them.

Batten positions from the left edge

Measure to the left edge of each batten, from the same starting point.

  1. Batten 10 in
  2. Batten 228.1 in
  3. Batten 356.2 in
  4. Batten 484.3 in
  5. Batten 5112.4 in
  6. Batten 6140.5 in

Plan one flat, rectangular wall at a time. Enable the obstacle check to compare layouts around one window or outlet, including its casing or cover plate. The tool checks trim overlap; it does not notch pieces, relocate outlets, or check unmarked obstacles. Tape out the design and check every measurement before cutting.

FROM PLAN TO WALL

Even spacing starts with actual widths.

The calculator includes a batten at both ends of the wall. Choose the number of open gaps, then subtract the width of all battens before dividing the remaining space equally.

Clear gap = (wall width − total batten width) ÷ gaps

A worked example

For a 144-inch wall, five gaps, and six 3.5-inch battens: (144 − 21) ÷ 5 = 24.6 inches per gap. With a 60-inch paneling height and two 3.5-inch rails, each vertical batten is 53 inches long.

Those six battens plus two 144-inch rails need 50.5 linear feet before an extra allowance. The rail and batten face widths may be different, so buy each profile separately.

Read the measuring guide

MEASURE THE RIGHT PART

A gap is the open space.

ABC
ABatten width
The measured face of one vertical board.
BClear gap
The space between adjacent boards.
CRail width
The face width of each horizontal rail.

Plan around real wall obstacles

An evenly spaced wall can still put a batten over an outlet. See how changing the gap count affects the fit and the amount of trim.

Spacing chart for 8, 10 and 12 ft walls Board and batten around outlets: spacing example How to measure an obstacle and its buffer

Board and batten spacing questions

How far apart should battens be?

The spacing is a design choice. This calculator divides the available width into equal clear gaps using your actual batten width and chosen gap count. Try several counts, check any fixtures, and compare the proportions on the wall.

Does it calculate exterior siding?

This planner covers decorative interior battens between top and bottom rails. It does not calculate exterior siding boards, weatherproofing, or structural details.

Can the layout avoid an outlet or window?

Enable the obstacle check and mark the full cover plate or casing. It compares counts while keeping your other measurements fixed. Only one obstacle is checked, and some layouts have no solution within that search.

Are the measurements exact?

The math uses unrounded values; the screen rounds the results. Real walls are rarely perfectly square. Check the fit and use the measuring precision your tools support.

Does this include installation materials?

The cut list covers trim only. Adhesive, fasteners, caulk, paint, substrate panels, and finishing materials are not included. Follow your trim manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Which style should I use?

Board and batten creates vertical divisions between full-width rails. Picture frame molding adds closed rectangles to a wall. Try the other layout to compare proportions.