AnyGyprock / AnyDrywall · free · no sign-up
Plasterboard and drywall calculator
Enter the wall and ceiling area, pick the sheet size, and flag any wet areas. You get the sheet count with waste, base and top coat compound, tape, screws and the hours to hang, set and sand.
AnyGyprock / AnyDrywall
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Open AnyBuild freeHow the lining takeoff is worked out
Sheets are counted from area rather than measured wall by wall, which is how most quotes are put together:
- Sheets are area divided by the coverage of the sheet you choose, plus 10% waste for cuts around openings and services.
- Wet areas are split out at roughly 15% of the area and counted in Villaboard (AU) or cement board (US), because they are a different sheet and a different price.
- Compound is split into base and top coat, each scaled off area, because they are bought and used at different rates.
- Screws and tape scale off the sheet count and the area respectively.
- Labour is plasterer or finisher hours per square metre to hang, set and sand to a level 4 finish.
Things worth checking before you order
- Level 4 is the normal domestic finish. A level 5 finish, or critical lighting down a long wall, takes materially more time and compound.
- Ceilings take longer than walls per square metre. If the job is ceiling-heavy, expect the hours to sit at the top of the range.
- Wet areas have waterproofing requirements of their own (AS 3740 in Australia). The sheet swap here is not the waterproofing scope.
- Longer sheets mean fewer butt joints and a better finish, but they are harder to get up stairs and around corners on your own.
Common questions
How many sheets of plasterboard do I need for 60 m²?
Using 2400 x 1200 sheets (2.88 m² each) and 10% waste, about 23 sheets. The calculator also gives the compound, tape, screws and fixing hours.
How much compound do I need per sheet?
Roughly a 20 kg bag of base coat per 25 m² and a bag of top coat per 35 m², which is what this calculator uses. Machine finishing and level 5 work use more.
What is the difference between plasterboard and drywall?
The same product under different names: plasterboard or Gyprock in Australia, drywall or sheetrock in the US. The main practical difference is the sheet size, 2400 x 1200 versus 4 x 8 ft, and the calculator switches with the region.
These figures are indicative and use sample regional trade prices, so treat them as a starting point for a quote rather than a final price. Quantities follow common practice and standard allowances; spans, footings, fixings and compliance for your specific job should be confirmed against the current standards and, where required, an engineer.
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