Enter your wall width and target spacing to get an even batten layout: number of battens, exact on-center spacing, and the gap between them.
The trick to a professional board-and-batten wall is even spacing with a batten landing at each end. Start from your target on-center spacing, then let the math round to a whole number of battens and recalculate the exact spacing so nothing looks lopsided. The formulas are:
Battens = round(wall width ÷ target spacing) + 1
Actual O.C. = wall width ÷ (battens − 1)
The "+1" puts a batten on both ends. The gap you actually see between battens is the on-center spacing minus the batten width. This calculator also totals the linear feet of batten stock (each batten spans the wall height) plus a top and bottom rail.
Most board-and-batten walls space battens 12 to 16 inches on center. Wider spacing (up to 24 inches) reads as more modern; tighter spacing feels traditional. This tool keeps the spacing even and lands a batten on each end.
Divide the wall width by your target spacing, round to a whole number, and add one. A 12-foot wall at 16-inch spacing needs about 10 battens.
Common batten stock is 1x3 or 1x4 (2.5 or 3.5 inches wide). The board width changes the visible gap but not the on-center spacing.
Yes. Run the battens only up to the wainscot height (typically 40–48 inches) and finish with a top cap rail. Enter that height above to size the lumber.