Wall panelling design tool
& spacing calculator
Most wall panelling calculators give you numbers in a table. This one draws the actual wall so you can see what the panels will look like before you start cutting MDF. It works for board and batten, shaker panels, wainscoting, picture frame moulding, square panelling, grid accent walls, and anything else with rectangular panels and battens.
What the tool does
You type in your wall dimensions, choose a layout (or pick one of the 24 templates), and the canvas draws your panels to scale. Every batten, gap, and border is shown, and the dimensions update live as you make changes. You can work in millimetres, centimetres, or inches.
The divider handles between panels are draggable. Slide one to make a panel wider and its neighbour narrower. They snap when they match, which makes getting even panel spacing straightforward. You can set the batten width, adjust gaps per edge or per row, and override individual column gaps by clicking on them directly.
There is a dado rail option that splits the wall at chair height for wainscoting and half-wall panelling styles, and an inner panel mode that adds a second frame inside each panel for a raised panelling look (sometimes called picture frame moulding or box moulding). Both show up in the cut list.
Plan multiple walls at once using the wall tabs. Each wall has its own dimensions and layout, and you can view a combined cut list across all walls.
Want a second opinion before you start cutting? Hit the share button to get a link you can send to anyone. They will see your exact layout, dimensions, and colour preview in their own browser. Handy for checking the design with a partner, getting feedback from a friend, or sharing your layout on a forum.
When the layout looks right, the cut list tells you how many battens to buy and the total linear metres of MDF strip you need. You pick a corner joint mode (mitre or butt) and the lengths adjust. Enter your material prices per metre in the cost estimator to see how much your panelling project will cost. Download everything as a CSV or print the full layout with all the measurements labelled.
How to plan your wall panelling layout
Measure your wall width and height. If the wall is not perfectly square, measure a few points and use the largest. For half-wall panelling or wainscoting, measure just the section you want to panel. Switch to centimetres or inches using the unit toggle if you prefer not to work in millimetres.
Enter the dimensions in the sidebar and set the number of rows and columns. A single row gives you board and batten. Multiple rows and columns give you shaker or square grid panelling. You can also pick a template. There are simple grids, classic styles like Georgian, Victorian, and Jacobean, and some creative ones like Mondrian and Art Deco.
Set your batten width, gap sizes, and border widths. Drag the handles on the canvas to fine-tune spacing. Use the equalise buttons if you want all rows or columns the same size. Turn on the dado rail for wainscoting or inner panels for picture frame moulding.
When it looks right, share your design with a link so someone else can take a look. Then open the cut list and pick your corner joint mode. The list shows everything you need to cut, grouped by type and length, with total linear metres so you know how much MDF to buy. Add your material prices to see an estimated project cost. Download the CSV or print the layout to take to the workshop.
Common questions
How do I work out the spacing for wall panelling?
Enter your wall width and height, pick how many rows and columns you want, and set the gap size. The tool works out every panel dimension for you. From there you can drag the divider handles to adjust individual panels. The rest of the layout stays aligned automatically. Use the equalise buttons to space panels evenly in one click.
Does this work for board and batten, shaker, and wainscoting styles?
Yes. Use a single row for board and batten, multiple rows and columns for shaker or grid layouts, and turn on the dado rail for wainscoting. It also works for picture frame moulding (box moulding), square panelling, and accent wall grids. There are templates for common styles like Shaker, Georgian, Victorian, Jacobean, Parisian, and a few more creative ones if you want a starting point.
What size MDF do I need for the battens?
Most DIY panelling uses 9mm or 12mm MDF cut into strips around 40mm to 100mm wide. You can set the batten width in the sidebar and the tool factors it into all the panel calculations. The cut list tells you the exact length and quantity of every strip, so you know exactly how much MDF to buy.
How do I measure my wall?
Measure the full width and height in millimetres (or switch to centimetres or inches using the unit toggle). If the wall is not perfectly square, take measurements at a few points and use the largest. For wainscoting or half-wall panelling, just measure the section you want to panel.
How high should wall panelling be?
There is no fixed rule, but common heights are around 900mm (dado/chair rail height) for traditional wainscoting, 1200mm for half-wall panelling, and full height for feature walls. A general guideline is to divide the wall into thirds and panel the bottom third or bottom two-thirds. You can try different heights in the tool by changing the wall height to match the section you want to panel.
What is the dado rail option?
It adds a horizontal rail at chair height that splits your wall into upper and lower sections, which is the classic wainscoting look. You can set the rail height, width, and spacing. A few of the templates turn it on automatically.
How do I know how many battens to buy?
Once your layout looks right, open the cut list. It shows every batten strip grouped by length with a quantity count, total linear metres (or feet), and separate entries for horizontal, vertical, inner panel, and dado rail strips. You can download it as a CSV to take to the timber merchant.
How much does wall panelling cost?
It depends on the material, wall size, and layout complexity. The cut list calculates the total linear metres of MDF strip you need. Enter your material price per metre in the cost estimator to get a project total. As a rough guide, MDF batten strip typically costs between 50p and 2 per metre depending on width and supplier.
How many panels do I need for my wall?
That depends on how many rows and columns you choose. Enter your wall dimensions, set the grid size, and the tool shows you the exact layout with every panel dimension labelled. The cut list then tells you how many batten strips to cut and the total material needed.
What are the corner joint options in the cut list?
You can choose mitre (45-degree cuts), butt-horizontal (horizontals full width, verticals trimmed), or butt-vertical (verticals full height, horizontals trimmed). The strip lengths in the cut list adjust based on which you pick.
Can I plan multiple walls at once?
Yes. Use the wall tabs at the top of the canvas to add as many walls as you need. Each wall has its own dimensions, layout, and settings. The cut list can show materials for a single wall or all walls combined.
Do I need to sign up?
No. There is no account, no signup, and no limit on how many designs you can make. Your layout saves in the browser automatically so you can close the tab and come back to it.
Panelling guides
Practical guides to help you plan your wall panelling project.
Free wall panelling design tool, spacing calculator, and cost estimator. Works for board and batten, shaker, wainscoting, picture frame moulding, square panelling, and custom layouts. Available in mm, cm, and inches.