Dry Lining Calculator — Studs, Plasterboard & Fixings

Our dry lining calculator works out the plasterboard, framework, and fixings needed based on your wall dimensions and chosen system type. Metal studs and timber battens are spaced at 600mm centres — the UK standard for plasterboard systems.

The formula

Plasterboard sheets = Total wall area ÷ Sheet area × Wastage factor

Studs = (Wall length ÷ 0.6 + 1) × Number of walls (at 600mm centres)

Track/rail = Total wall length × 2 (top and bottom)

System types

• Metal stud: C-studs at 600mm centres with U-channel track top and bottom. Most common commercial method. Brands: British Gypsum GypLyner, Knauf
• Timber frame: 50 × 25mm or 50 × 50mm timber battens at 600mm centres with a top and bottom rail. Common in domestic renovation work
• Insulated plasterboard: Thermal board fixed directly to the wall — no framework needed. Quickest option for insulating walls

Fixing quantities

We calculate approximately 36 drywall screws per standard 2400 × 1200mm board, based on British Gypsum White Book guidance of 300mm fixing centres along each of the three stud lines a 1200mm board spans at 600mm centres, plus the board perimeter fixed at no more than 300mm centres (200mm is reserved for external angles/corners). For metal studs, we add 4 wafer-head screws per stud for securing the C-stud to the head and base track. For a mechanically-fixed thermal board, we allow 8 fixings per board — note that adhesive (dot-and-dab) fixing instead needs only about 2 nailable plugs per board. All of these figures are adjustable under Advanced options.