Drywall / Plasterboard Calculator

How this calculator works

Sheets = round up[(area x waste factor) / sheet area]. Default sheet is UK 2400 x 1200 mm; use 1.22 m x 2.44 m (4 x 8 ft) for the US standard panel.

Worked example

A 4 m x 3 m ceiling with 10% waste needs 13.2 m2. At a 2.4 x 1.2 m sheet (2.88 m2), that is 5 sheets.

Assumptions to check

The area is a simple rectangle; door/window cutouts are not subtracted (they usually still need a full sheet to span).
Sheet size defaults to the UK standard board; switch to the US 4x8 ft size for that market.
Fixings, tape, and joint compound are not included.

Read the calculation and QA methodology →

FAQ

Plasterboard vs. drywall - same calculator?

Yes. Both terms describe the same gypsum board product; only the standard sheet size commonly differs by market (UK 2400x1200 mm vs. US 4x8 ft).

Should I round sheets up per wall or for the whole job?

This calculator rounds for the total area entered. For very different wall sizes, calculate each wall separately to avoid excess offcuts that cannot be reused elsewhere.

Does this account for tapered edge vs. square edge boards?

No - sheet size and area are the same either way; edge type affects jointing method, not quantity.