Board & Batten Spacing Calculator

How to measure and choose a layout

1. Measure the section width and finished batten face width. Use actual dimensions, not a nominal board name.
2. Choose flush end strips or equal clear spaces at both ends; the edge choice changes the spacing formula.
3. Enter an integer count or target gap. Optional finished strip length adds installed length, excluding waste.

What the calculator shows

• Calculate clear spacing with end assumptions shown explicitly.
• Compare a requested gap with the closest feasible count, up to 200 battens.
• Read every left edge, centerline and right edge from a common origin.
• Switch between millimeters, centimeters and decimal or fractional inches.

Common layout tasks

• Lay out five 100 mm battens in a 2400 mm section with flush ends: the clear gap is 475 mm.
• Compare four equal-end-gap battens in a 2400 mm section: each gap and end margin is 400 mm.
• Mark a centered single strip with equal end gaps on a narrow section.

Spacing guide and limits

A clear gap measures between adjacent strip edges. Pitch measures between their centerlines and equals batten width plus gap.

Flush ends require at least two battens. With one strip, choose equal end gaps; its center is halfway across the section.

In target mode the requested gap is a preference, not an exact value or an upper limit. Ties use fewer battens.

Inch tape fractions are rounded to the nearest 1/16. Repeatedly stepping off rounded gaps accumulates error; use independent coordinates.

Only a flat, uninterrupted, identical-width vertical layout is modeled. No rails, corners, obstacles, structural design or fixing guidance is included.

Privacy and accuracy

All measurements are calculated in your browser; normal site services may still make requests.

Feasibility uses unrounded measurements. Optional installed length is not a stock purchase estimate and excludes offcuts and waste.