Guide
Plasterboard types, sizes and thicknesses
The standard plasterboard sheet is 2400 × 1200 mm in 9.5, 12.5 or 15 mm; choose standard board for most walls and ceilings, moisture-resistant board for wet rooms, fire-resistant board where a fire rating is required, and acoustic board to cut sound.
Written by the SK Trade team. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Board types
- Standard wallboard for general walls and ceilings.
- Moisture-resistant for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.
- Fire-resistant for garages, escape routes and separating walls where a rating is required.
- Acoustic denser board to reduce sound between rooms.
- Impact tougher faces for corridors and busy areas.
- Thermal laminate board bonded to insulation for dry-lining external walls.
Thickness
12.5 mm is the everyday choice for walls and ceilings on studs or joists at up to 600 mm centres. 9.5 mm suits ceilings at 400 mm centres. Fire and acoustic designs often call for 15 mm or two layers.
How many boards?
Divide the area by 2.88 m² for a 2400 × 1200 sheet and add about 10 percent for cutting. Screws: around 30 to 40 per sheet on a wall, with screws at about 300 mm centres.
Tapered or square edge
Tapered edges are for taping and jointing without a skim coat. Square edges are usually skimmed.
Related products
Related questions
What thickness plasterboard for walls?
12.5 mm is the standard choice for walls on studs at 400 or 600 mm centres.
What does CLS stand for?
Canadian Lumber Standard. It refers to the way the timber is dried, planed and finished with rounded edges.
Sources
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