Drywall calculator — boards and studs for your wall

Enter the wall dimensions, pick a board size, the number of layers and the stud spacing — and get the number of drywall boards, studs, meters of track and screws instantly, with a waste margin included.

m
m
m²

A standard interior door with frame is roughly 2 m².

%

10% normally covers cutting waste at doors and board joints.

Drywall boards
14 pcs
36 m² board area + 10 % waste
Studs
17 pcs
cc 600 incl. 1 opening
Track (top + bottom)
16 m
Drywall screws
≈ 600 pcs
approx. 15 pcs/m² per board layer

Stud length = wall height minus roughly 10–15 mm for fitting into the tracks. With double board layers, stagger the joints between layers. Check screw length: 25 mm for the first layer, 38–41 mm for the second.

The calculation is an estimate and does not replace engineering design or the supplier’s instructions. Always check against project documents, product data sheets and applicable codes.

How to work out drywall quantities

Start from the wall’s net area: length × height minus door and window openings. Multiply by the number of board layers and the number of sides being clad, add about 10% waste and divide by the board area — 2.88 m² for a 1200 × 2400 mm board, more for longer formats. The waste disappears quickly into cuts around doors, outlets and the last board on the wall, so don’t skimp on it.

For the framing you need studs at your chosen spacing plus one closing stud, extra studs at every opening, and track (bottom and top) equal to twice the wall length. Screws land at roughly 15 per m² per board layer — about 200 mm apart along the edges and 300 mm in the field.

Stud spacing, layers and board types

A standard partition is built at 600 mm centers with one board layer per side. Walls that will carry tile need a stiffer substrate: go to 450 mm centers or double board layers with staggered joints. Double layers also improve sound reduction and are common in party walls and fire-rated assemblies — always follow the wall type specified in the construction documents.

Pick the right board too: standard board in dry rooms, moisture-resistant board where it’s humid and fire-rated board in fire-rated constructions. Hang boards vertically so the tapered long edges land on studs — then you only finish recessed joints, which gives flatter walls with less compound. With double layers, stagger the joints at least one stud spacing between layers.

Frequently asked questions

How many drywall boards do I need for a wall?
Take the wall’s net area (length × height minus openings), multiply by the number of board layers and the number of sides being clad, add about 10% waste and divide by the board area. A 1200 × 2400 mm board covers 2.88 m², so an 8 × 2.5 m wall (20 m²) boarded on both sides takes about 15–16 boards including waste.
Should I use 450 or 600 mm stud spacing?
600 mm on center is standard for ordinary partition walls. Choose 450 mm on center — or double board layers — where the wall will be tiled or in wet areas, since tiling needs a stiffer substrate. 450 mm spacing also gives a noticeably sturdier wall where heavy items will be mounted.
What is the difference between standard, moisture-resistant and fire-rated board?
Standard board is for ordinary dry walls and ceilings. Moisture-resistant board has an impregnated core and facing that absorbs less water, for bathrooms and humid rooms. Fire-rated board has a glass-fiber-reinforced core that holds together longer in a fire and is used in fire-rated assemblies. Always check the fire documentation before substituting board types.
How many screws do I need per drywall board?
Count on roughly 15 screws per m² per board layer — around 30–40 screws for a full-size board. Screw spacing is typically about 200 mm along board edges and about 300 mm in the field. Use 25 mm screws for the first layer and 38–41 mm for the second.
How many studs do I need for a drywall partition?
Number of studs = wall length divided by the stud spacing, plus one closing stud. An 8 m wall at 600 mm centers needs 8/0.6 + 1 ≈ 15 studs. Add 2 extra studs per door or window opening, plus track (top and bottom) equal to twice the wall length.

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