Drywall calculator
Estimate plasterboard for partitions, linings or ceilings: openings, sides, layers, waste, tracks, studs, screws and packs.
Drywall / plasterboard calculation
Calculate the boards required and, for partitions, an estimate of tracks, studs and screws.
Doors and windows
Deduct the openings in the partition.
Framing and fixing
Indicative tracks
Indicative studs
Indicative screws
Calculation details
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How does this tool work?
The drywall calculator estimates how many plasterboard sheets to order for a stud partition, a wall lining, a ceiling or an area you have already measured. For a simple partition, it also gives a practical estimate of tracks, studs and screws.
The gross area is length × height for a partition, length × width for a ceiling, or the area you type in. In partition mode, doors and windows are deducted as width × height × quantity.
The net area is then multiplied by the number of sides and layers of board. In ceiling mode, one side is always counted and the field is hidden; for a known area, enter the number of sides actually boarded.
The boarded area is divided by the area of one board, increased by the cutting waste and rounded up to a whole board; packs, if entered, are also rounded up.
For partitions only, tracks are estimated at twice the length (floor and ceiling) and studs at length ÷ spacing, rounded up, plus one. Screws follow from the boarded area and the number of screws per m².
Board count depends on more than wall area: orientation, number of layers, openings and offcuts all affect the order. A narrow or highly segmented room can require more boards than a simple area divided by one board area suggests.
How to use this tool
Choose the surface
Partition, ceiling or known area.
Deduct the openings
Add doors and windows for a partition.
Define the boards
Size, sides, layers and waste.
Adjust the framing
Stud spacing and screws remain editable.
Plasterboard calculations
The number of boards depends on the area actually boarded, the board size and the cutting waste.
Boarded area
net area × sides × layers
A partition boarded on both sides doubles the board area.
Boards
ceil(boarded area / board area × (1 + allowance))
Rounded up to a whole board.
Framing and fixing estimates are indicative. Stud spacing, profiles, reinforcements, hangers and fixings must follow the board system you choose and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use cases
Stud partition
Two sides, one or more layers and doors to deduct.
Wall lining
A single side with the board size you will actually buy.
Ceiling
Work out the boards from length × width, with one side; the supporting grid is checked separately.
Examples
4 × 2.5 m partition with a door
10 m² minus 1.84 m² for the door, times 2 sides: 16.33 m². 16.33 ÷ 3 m² = 5.44 boards, plus 10% = 5.99, so 6 boards. Studs: 4 ÷ 0.60 = 6.67, rounded up to 7, plus 1.
Input
Partition 4 m × 2.5 m · door 0.90 × 2.04 m · 2 sides · 1 layer · 1.20 × 2.50 m boards · 10% waste · 60 cm stud spacing · 15 screws/m²Result
Net area 8.16 m²; boarded area 16.33 m²; 6 boards; 8 m of track; 8 studs; 245 screws4 × 3 m ceiling
12 ÷ 3 = 4 boards in theory; with 10% waste, 4.4 boards rounded up to 5. Tracks and studs are not estimated for a ceiling.
Input
Ceiling 4 m × 3 m · 1 layer · 1.20 × 2.50 m boards · 10% waste · 15 screws/m²Result
Boarded area 12 m²; 5 boards; 180 screwsTips and best practices
- Use the board size your supplier actually sells; taller boards can reduce horizontal joints.
- A double-layer partition needs two layers of board on each side.
- Doors reduce the board area but may need extra studs or a header that the calculator does not size.
Sources and references
Frequently asked questions
How many plasterboard sheets do I need for 10 m²?
A 1.20 × 2.50 m board covers 3 m² before offcuts. For 10 m² on one side and one layer, with no openings and 10% waste: 10 ÷ 3 × 1.10 = 3.67, so 4 boards. Cuts and pack sizes can change what you buy.
Why count two sides?
A free-standing partition is usually boarded on both sides. Use two sides for a partition and one for a simple wall lining; layers apply to each side.
Are the tracks and studs exact?
No. They are estimates for a simple partition based on length and spacing. Openings, corners, reinforcements and fixings must be checked against the system and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do I need moisture-resistant boards in a bathroom?
In wet rooms, check the board type and system recommended by the manufacturer. The calculator estimates quantities but does not choose the moisture resistance for you.
How many sides should I enter for a ceiling or a lining?
For a ceiling, nothing: one side is counted automatically. For a lining against a wall, enter 1 side; the default of 2 sides matches a partition boarded on both faces.
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