Calculate how many plasterboard sheets you need for walls and ceilings. Includes deductions for openings, fixings estimate, joint tape and jointing compound quantities.
Estimates based on ~30 screws per standard sheet, 1 roll of joint tape per 10 sheets, and 1 bucket (25kg) of jointing compound per 40–50 m².
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Create Your Free ProposalTypical 2026 UK prices per standard 2400×1200mm sheet. Prices vary by brand and supplier. Trade prices may be lower for bulk orders.
| Board Type | Price per Sheet | Colour Code | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £5 – £8 | Grey / Ivory face | General walls & ceilings |
| Moisture Resistant | £8 – £12 | Green face | Bathrooms, kitchens, en-suites |
| Fire Resistant | £8 – £14 | Pink face | Fire rated walls, party walls |
| Acoustic | £12 – £18 | Blue face | Sound insulation, party walls |
| Insulated (Thermal Laminate) | £15 – £25 | Varies | External walls, cold spots |
Quick reference: quantities of fixings and sundries needed per standard 2400×1200mm plasterboard sheet.
| Item | Qty per Sheet | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall Screws (38mm) | ~30 | £5–8 per 500 | 150mm centres perimeter, 300mm field |
| Joint Tape (90m roll) | ~1 roll per 10 sheets | £3–5 per roll | Paper or fibreglass mesh |
| Jointing Compound (25kg) | ~1 bucket per 15 sheets | £10–15 per bucket | 3 coats over joints & screw holes |
| Corner Tape / Bead (3m) | As required | £2–4 per length | External corners & reveals |
Getting plasterboard quantities right saves money and avoids delays. Under-ordering means extra trips to the merchant and potential batch differences. Over-ordering means wasted material and disposal costs for a bulky product that is difficult to store.
The calculation is straightforward: Net Area (m²) ÷ Sheet Area (m²) = Number of Sheets. Then add your wastage percentage. For standard 2400×1200mm sheets (2.88m² each), a 20m² wall needs approximately 7 sheets before wastage (20 ÷ 2.88 = 6.94, rounded up to 7). With 10% wastage, order 8 sheets.
2400×1200mm (8ft × 4ft) is the industry standard. It covers 2.88m² per sheet and is designed to span standard 400mm or 600mm stud centres. This is the most cost-effective option and widely stocked.
1800×900mm sheets are smaller and lighter, making them easier to handle in tight spaces like loft conversions, stairwells and small rooms. They cover 1.62m² per sheet. You will need more sheets but handling is much easier, especially for one-person jobs.
Always deduct the area of doors and windows from your total surface area. A standard internal door opening is approximately 2.1m × 0.9m (1.89m²). A standard window is approximately 1.2m × 1.2m (1.44m²). However, remember that plasterboard around openings often requires extra cutting, which increases waste.
Standard board is suitable for most general applications. Moisture resistant board (green face) must be used in bathrooms, kitchens and any area exposed to moisture. Fire resistant board (pink face) is required for fire-rated walls, party walls between dwellings and garage-to-house walls. Acoustic board provides enhanced sound insulation for party walls and noisy rooms. Insulated board combines plasterboard with foam insulation and is used to improve thermal performance of external walls.
Budget for approximately 30 drywall screws per standard sheet. You will also need joint tape (1 roll per 10 sheets), jointing compound (1 bucket per 15 sheets for a dry-lined finish) and corner beads for any external corners. If the boards will be skim plastered, you will need approximately 10kg of multi-finish plaster per m².
When quoting drylining jobs, include boards, fixings, jointing/plastering materials, labour, waste removal and any preparatory work like battening or insulation. Use tools like QuoteSmith to build professional proposals that clearly itemise every element, helping you win more work.
Common questions about calculating plasterboard for building projects.
Measure the total wall or ceiling area in square metres, deduct for doors and windows, then divide by the sheet area. A standard 2400×1200mm sheet covers 2.88 m². Add 10% for wastage. For example, a 20 m² wall needs approximately 8 sheets.
The most common size in the UK is 2400×1200mm (8ft × 4ft). For rooms with tighter access or single-person installation, 1800×900mm sheets are easier to handle. Standard thickness is 12.5mm for walls and 9.5mm for ceilings.
Approximately 28-32 drywall screws per standard 2400×1200mm sheet. Screws should be at 150mm centres around the perimeter and 200-300mm centres in the field. For ceilings, use 150mm spacing throughout.
A 25kg bucket of jointing compound covers approximately 40-50 m² of plasterboard. This includes three coats over joints and screw holes. For a typical room of 20 m², you will need roughly half a bucket.
Standard (grey/ivory, £5-8), Moisture Resistant (green, £8-12), Fire Resistant (pink, £8-14), Acoustic (blue, £12-18), and Insulated (bonded to foam, £15-25). Always check building regulations for the correct board type for your application.
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