Board and Batten Calculator

What is Board and Batten?

Board and batten is a siding style where wide boards are installed vertically with narrow battens (thin strips) covering the seams. This design is both aesthetic and functional:

• Boards form the main siding surface.
• Battens cover the gaps between boards, preventing water infiltration and improving insulation.

The spacing, board size, and batten size all affect how much material you’ll need. That’s why accurate calculation is so important.

Why Use a Board and Batten Calculator?

Manually calculating material needs can be tricky. You have to consider wall width, wall height, board size, batten size, and the spacing between boards. If you miscalculate, you risk ordering too few boards (leading to project delays) or too many (wasting money).

The Board and Batten Calculator simplifies this process by:

✅ Estimating the number of boards needed
✅ Calculating the number of battens required
✅ Giving you total linear feet for both boards and battens
✅ Including an extra batten allowance for the edges
✅ Suggesting a 10–15% waste margin for safety

How the Calculator Works (Plain English)

The calculator uses simple geometry to estimate material needs. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Wall Measurements
   • Wall width (feet)
   • Wall height (feet)
2. Board and Batten Sizes
   • Actual board width (e.g., a nominal 1x8 board is really 7.25 inches wide)
   • Actual batten width (e.g., a 1x2 batten is 1.5 inches wide)
3. Board Spacing (Gap)
   • Small gaps between boards (usually 0.5–1 inch) are covered by battens.

Formula Steps:

• Repeat Unit Width = Board Width + Gap
• Number of Boards = Wall Width ÷ Repeat Unit Width (rounded up)
• Number of Battens = Number of Boards + 1 (extra for edges)
• Total Linear Feet of Boards = Number of Boards × Wall Height
• Total Linear Feet of Battens = Number of Battens × Wall Height

Example Calculation

Let’s say you have:

• Wall width = 20 ft
• Wall height = 8 ft
• Board = 1x8 (7.25” actual width)
• Batten = 1x2 (1.5” actual width)
• Gap = 0.5”

Step 1: Wall width in inches = 20 × 12 = 240”
Step 2: Repeat unit width = 7.25 + 0.5 = 7.75”
Step 3: Number of boards = 240 ÷ 7.75 ≈ 31
Step 4: Number of battens = 31 + 1 = 32
Step 5: Total boards LF = 31 × 8 = 248 LF
Step 6: Total battens LF = 32 × 8 = 256 LF

You’ll need 31 boards (248 LF) and 32 battens (256 LF) for this wall.

Benefits of the Board and Batten Calculator

• Accuracy: Avoids costly mistakes in ordering materials.
• Efficiency: Quick results without manual math.
• Budgeting: Helps estimate lumber costs before buying.
• Planning: Makes sure you have enough material (plus waste allowance).
• DIY-Friendly: Perfect for homeowners tackling their own siding project.

Tips for Successful Board and Batten Installation

• Always add 10–15% extra material for waste, cutting errors, and future repairs.
• Choose boards and battens of similar wood species for consistency.
• For exterior siding, use treated or weather-resistant lumber.
• Install a weather-resistant barrier behind boards for long-lasting protection.
• Paint or stain all pieces before installation for even coverage.

Try the Interactive Board and Batten Calculator

Our calculator makes planning easy. Just enter your wall width, height, board size, batten size, and board spacing. In seconds, you’ll know exactly how many boards and battens you need—along with their total linear footage.

Hit “Calculate Materials” and start planning your siding project with confidence.