Stud Wall Calculator — Framing, Plasterboard & Insulation
Calculate studs, sole plates, top plates, drywall sheets and insulation for partition walls. Enter wall dimensions, choose stud spacing, and get a full material list including waste — for one or both sides of the wall.
Wall diagram
Shopping list — 48×98 mm C24
Framework
Fasteners
Cladding
Insulation
Trims and surface
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Save results to a project: budget and shopping list build themselves, and the whole plan exports as a PDF. Draw your floor plan and room sizes pre-fill the calculators.
How the stud wall calculator works
- 1Stud count: wall length ÷ stud spacing, rounded up, plus one end stud
- 2Add doubled studs at each side of any door or window opening
- 3Plate length: wall length per plate (sole plate = wall length; top plate = wall length; add a second top plate of the same length if load-bearing)
- 4Drywall sheets: wall area ÷ sheet area (e.g. 1.2 × 2.4 m), with 10% waste
- 5Insulation: wall area ÷ batt coverage, one side only (mineral wool fills the stud cavity)
- 6Stud length = room height − 2× plate thickness (not floor-to-ceiling)
Worked example
Partition wall: 4.8 m long, 2.4 m high, 600 mm stud spacing, one 900 mm door opening, drywalled both sides.
You need 10 studs, 9.6 m total plate material (4.8 m sole plate + 4.8 m top plate), 9 drywall sheets per side (4.8×2.4 = 11.52 m² per side × 2 = 23.04 m², ÷ 2.88 m² per sheet × 1.10 waste = 8.8, rounded up to 9) and approximately 9.6 m² of mineral wool insulation (11.52 m² wall area minus 0.9×2.1 m door opening = 9.63 m²).
Frequently asked questions
What stud spacing should I use for a partition wall?
600 mm centres is standard for non-load-bearing partition walls with 12.5 mm drywall. Use 400 mm spacing for heavier tiles, shelving or higher acoustic requirements.
How many studs do I need per metre of wall?
At 600 mm spacing: approximately 1.7 studs per metre. At 400 mm spacing: approximately 2.5 studs per metre. Always add one extra for the end stud.
How much drywall do I need for a 10 m² wall?
With standard 1.2×2.4 m sheets (2.88 m² each) and 10% waste, you need approximately 4 sheets per side. Use the calculator to account for windows and doors.
What is the difference between load-bearing and partition walls?
Partition walls divide space only. Load-bearing walls carry the weight of floors or roof above. Never remove a wall without confirming it is non-load-bearing — consult a structural engineer if unsure.
What insulation should I use in a stud wall?
Mineral wool (rock wool or glass wool) is standard — it is fire-resistant, easy to cut and provides both thermal and acoustic insulation. 70–90 mm batts fit neatly in a 48×98 mm stud cavity.