Steel Stud Partition Calculator
Studs, boards, screws and infill in one go.
Inputs
Result
Formula
| Studs = ceil(L ÷ spacing) + 1; length = count × H | |
| Track = L × 2; cross rails = ceil(H ÷ 1.2) × L | |
| Board area = area × 2 sides × layers × 1.08 | one sheet = 2.88 m² |
| Screws = board area × 25 |
20 m long, 3 m high, 400 mm studs, single layer with mineral wool: 60 m² of wall; 51 studs totalling 153 m; 40 m of track; 3 rows of cross rails at 60 m; 129.6 m² of board with waste, so 45 sheets; 3000 screws; 60 m² (3.00 m³) of mineral wool.
FAQ
What is the difference between 400 and 600 mm studs?
Board span and wall stiffness. At 600 mm the board deflects more, the wall feels springy and cracks after impact; 400 mm is stiffer and better acoustically and against impact, at 50% more studs. Guidance: 400 mm for 9.5 mm boards or walls over 3 m; 600 mm acceptable for 12 mm boards up to 3 m; tighten for fire, acoustic or heavy-hanging requirements.
Can a partition carry a TV or wall cabinet?
A single-layer partition takes only light items. For heavy loads you must either fix into the studs with proper stud fixings, add timber or steel blocking, or install extra noggings and backing before closing the wall. Retro-fitting expansion anchors fails - plasterboard cannot hold them and cracks around the fixing. Mark heavy-load positions on the drawings up front.
Why does double boarding help acoustics so much?
The mass law: doubling surface mass adds about 5-6 dB. Two layers double the mass, and the interface dissipates some sound energy. With mineral wool in the cavity absorbing and damping resonance, a single-leaf 35 dB partition can exceed 50 dB. Note that two boards glued tight is worse than board-stud-board with a real cavity - do not fill the cavity solid to save space.
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Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.