Plasterboard calculator
Work out how many plasterboard sheets you need for a wall or ceiling. Enter the area and the board size and this calculator gives you the number of boards, plus the screws and dot-and-dab adhesive.
Plasterboard calculator
Enter your measurements in metres. Everything updates as you type, and nothing is sent anywhere.
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Materials Market delivers plasterboard to your door, so you can order the amounts above.
Affiliate link: Costwise may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It never changes these figures.Board quantities include 10% for waste and cuts. The adhesive estimate uses 5.76 m² per 25 kg bag, based on British Gypsum’s coverage for two standard 2.4 m by 1.2 m boards under normal conditions. Uneven backgrounds need more. Screws are a rough shopping allowance, not a fixing schedule; follow the specified wall or ceiling system. Adhesive and screw quantities are alternatives, not a requirement to buy both.
Worked example: a 5 m by 2.4 m wall
The wall is 12 m². With 10% for cuts, the calculator allows 13.2 m². A 2.4 m by 1.2 m board covers 2.88 m², so 13.2 ÷ 2.88 rounds up to five boards. Plan the joints and offcuts against the actual supports before ordering.
For dot-and-dab, this tool uses 5.76 m² per 25 kg bag and includes its 10% allowance, so the same wall needs three bags after rounding up. British Gypsum specifies that one bag covers two standard boards under normal conditions; uneven backgrounds may need more. This is product-specific guidance, not a universal bag coverage.
British Gypsum adhesive coverage guidance, checked 8 October 2026.
Screw-fixing and adhesive bonding are different systems. The approximate screw count is not an installation instruction: board thickness, layers, supports and wall versus ceiling fixing affect the specification. Confirm the required system and do not use wall-adhesive assumptions for a ceiling.
Common questions
How many plasterboard sheets do I need?
Work out the total area of the walls or ceiling, then divide by the coverage of one board. A standard 2.4m by 1.2m sheet covers 2.88 square metres. The calculator does it for you and adds 10% for waste and cuts.
How much adhesive for dot and dab?
For Gyproc DriWall Adhesive, British Gypsum states one 25 kg bag covers two standard 2.4 m by 1.2 m boards under normal conditions. That is 5.76 m² per bag; an uneven background can need more. The calculator includes a 10% allowance and rounds up to whole bags. Check the chosen product and wall system before ordering.
These quantities are a guide to help you order. Always round up and check with your supplier before buying.