Gypsum Board Calculator
Boards, screws, tape, and compound for walls, ceilings, and curved applications
10% for straightforward rooms; 15-20% for curved work or rooms with many openings.
Surfaces / Areas
Job Costing (optional)
UK Market PricesFills in the material cost fields with current UK market prices. You can review and edit each price before applying.
Results
Boards to Buy
-
boards
Total Net Area
-
m²
Area inc. Waste
-
m²
Surface Breakdown
| Surface | Type | Gross Area | Deductions | Net Area | Boards (net) |
|---|
🚫 Estimate waste & skip size for this project →
Doing this as a homeowner?
Who do you actually need to hire for this?
Not sure what some of these terms mean?
Browse all →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gypsum boards do I need per square metre?
A standard board is 1200 x 2400 mm = 2.88 m². Divide total area by 2.88 and round up. A 30 m² wall: 30 ÷ 2.88 = 10.4, so 11 boards before waste. Add 10% waste for cuts around doors, windows, and penetrations. Double-layer system: double the board count. Boards sold individually or in packs of 6 or 12.
What thickness of plasterboard should I use?
9.5 mm: ceilings and lightweight partitions. 12.5 mm: standard for walls and partitions - better impact resistance and acoustic performance. 15 mm: higher fire resistance or sound insulation. Fire-rated partitions: 12.5 mm or 15 mm FireLine/Fireboard on each face. Damp areas or external use: moisture-resistant (MR) board or Aquapanel cement board.
How many screws do I need to fix plasterboard?
Screws at 300 mm centres around the board perimeter and on intermediate studs. A 1200 x 2400 mm board needs approximately 18-22 screws. A 30 m² partition (single layer): approximately 200-220 screws. Screw lengths: 25 mm for single-layer 12.5 mm board; 38 mm for double-layer; 45 mm for 15 mm board to MF ceiling grid.
How much jointing compound and tape do I need?
Jointing compound (3 coats): approximately 1.5-2.0 kg/m². A 25 kg tub covers 12-16 m². Paper joint tape: a 50 m roll covers approximately 17-20 m² of board. Use paper tape for high-quality finishes - mesh tape is easier to apply but needs more compound and is more prone to cracking.
What is the difference between a taped finish and a skim plaster finish?
Taped finish (dry lining): joints filled and sanded flush with jointing compound in 2-3 coats; board decorated directly. Faster, no wet plaster drying time - standard in commercial drylining. Skim plaster finish: 2-3 mm coat of finish plaster (e.g. Thistle MultiFinish) over the entire board surface - completely flat, seamless result; traditional preference in UK domestic construction, especially for dot-and-dab walls.
What is a shaft wall and when is it used?
A shaft wall is a fire-rated gypsum board system for enclosing lift shafts, stairwells, and service risers in multi-storey buildings. Built from one side only (outside the shaft) using CH stud framing with 25 mm shaft liner boards slid between studs, faced with fire-resistant plasterboard. Achieves 60-120 minute fire ratings depending on specification. Essential where internal shaft access is not possible during construction.