How Much Plasterboard Do I Need? Sheets, Screws and Tape (UK)
A room 4 × 3 m with a 2.4 m ceiling has 45.6 m² of walls and ceiling, which needs 18 sheets of 2400 × 1200 mm plasterboard with 10% for cutting. It takes about 570 screws and 55 m of jointing tape. The plasterboard calculator works it out for your own room, with or without the ceiling, and for any sheet size.
Sheets for common rooms
For walls only and for the walls and ceiling, with 10% waste, in 2400 × 1200 mm sheets:
| Room | Walls | Sheets | Walls and ceiling | Sheets | Screws |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m, 2.4 m high | 28.8 m² | 11 | 37.8 m² | 15 | 475 |
| 4 × 3 m, 2.4 m high | 33.6 m² | 13 | 45.6 m² | 18 | 570 |
| 4 × 4 m, 2.4 m high | 38.4 m² | 15 | 54.4 m² | 21 | 665 |
| 5 × 4 m, 2.4 m high | 43.2 m² | 17 | 63.2 m² | 25 | 792 |
| 6 × 4 m, 2.4 m high | 48.0 m² | 19 | 72.0 m² | 28 | 887 |
| 5 × 4 m, 2.6 m high | 46.8 m² | 18 | 66.8 m² | 26 | 824 |
Sheet sizes
The number of sheets for the 4 × 3 m room, walls and ceiling:
| Sheet | Area | Sheets needed |
|---|---|---|
| 2400 × 1200 mm | 2.88 m² | 18 |
| 3000 × 1200 mm | 3.6 m² | 14 |
| 1800 × 900 mm | 1.62 m² | 31 |
Without the ceiling the same room needs 13 sheets. Longer sheets (3000 mm) leave fewer joints on the wall, but are harder to carry up the stairs.
Fixing plasterboard
- Frame: the studs or joists should be level and at the spacing the board maker specifies (often 400 or 600 mm), with noggings to support the board edges.
- Order: do the ceiling first, then the walls. Stagger the joints, so that the corners of four sheets do not meet in a point.
- Screws: use drywall screws about 150 mm apart along the edges and 200 to 300 mm in the field, set just below the surface of the paper.
- Gaps: leave a small gap at the floor and keep the cut edges tight at the joints.
- Finishing: tape the joints and fill them, or skim the whole wall with plaster, and let the surface dry before you paint.
Choosing the board
- Thickness: 12.5 mm is the usual board for walls and ceilings, and 9.5 mm is used for some ceilings and lining. Check the spacing of the studs with the maker.
- Moisture-resistant board suits bathrooms and kitchens.
- Fire-resistant and acoustic boards suit walls between flats and under stairs.
- Tapered or square edge: tapered edges are for taping and filling, and square edges for plastering.
For the frame behind the board see the stud wall calculator, and for the finish skirting board. These are estimates: confirm quantities with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many sheets of plasterboard I need?
Divide the area of the walls and ceiling by the area of one sheet (2.88 m² for a 2400 × 1200 mm sheet), add 10% for cutting, and round up. A 4 × 3 m room with a 2.4 m ceiling is 45.6 m², which is 18 sheets.
How many screws do I need for plasterboard?
About 11 screws for each square metre of board: 570 screws for 18 sheets. Space them about 150 to 200 mm apart along the studs or joists.
How much jointing tape do I need?
About 55 m for this room, which is 1 roll of 90 m.
What size is a sheet of plasterboard?
The standard sheet is 2400 × 1200 mm (2.88 m²). Other sizes are 3000 × 1200 mm (3.6 m²) and 1800 × 900 mm (1.62 m²), and the usual thicknesses are 9.5 and 12.5 mm.
Do I take off doors and windows?
Not usually. The offcuts from the openings are used for the awkward pieces, so the waste allowance covers them.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and check the Building Regulations and any planning rules for anything structural or close to a boundary.