How do you measure plasterboard from plans?

Set the scale, trace the ceiling area in square metres, work the walls from their runs and ceiling height, and deduct doors and windows. Convert the area to sheets by sheet size and measure cornice in lineal metres. MetreMate totals it so you order board, compound and cornice accurately.

How many sheets of plasterboard do I need from a plan?

Measure the wall and ceiling areas in square metres, deduct openings, then divide by the coverage of your sheet size and add wastage. MetreMate gives you clean deducted areas straight off the plan.

How do you work out cornice lineal metres?

Measure the room perimeter at the wall and ceiling junction with the perimeter tool. MetreMate totals the lineal metres, so your cornice order matches the job.

How do I estimate compound and tape from a plasterboard takeoff?

Base your compound and tape on the sheet count and the joint length, since more sheets mean more joints to set. MetreMate gives you the deducted wall and ceiling area and the sheet count, then you apply your standard compound rate per 100 square metres and tape per lineal metre of joint.

How do I measure wet area plasterboard separately?

Keep bathrooms and laundries on their own layer so the water resistant board is quantified apart from standard board. Trace the wet area walls and ceiling for square metres, deduct openings, and MetreMate totals that layer on its own, so you order the right board type for each scope.

How do I deduct doors and windows from wall area?

Measure each wall area from its run and ceiling height, then subtract the opening sizes so you are pricing the net board area. MetreMate lets you measure the openings and take them off the wall total, which stops you over ordering sheets on a heavily glazed elevation.

MetreMate for Plasterboard Suppliers

Sheet and cornice quantities from the plan

Measure wall and ceiling areas in square metres, deduct openings, and work out plasterboard sheets and cornice lineal metres from a PDF plan.

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No credit card needed. Free plan to start, works on Windows and Mac.

Under 90s to your first measurement

Why plasterboard suppliers choose MetreMate

Plasterboard suppliers use MetreMate to measure wall and ceiling areas off the plans and elevations, then convert to sheets. Set the scale, trace the ceiling area, work walls from the runs and heights, deduct doors and windows, and measure cornice in lineal metres. Layers keep walls, ceilings and wet areas separate, so staff produce a clean sheet and cornice takeoff and order the right quantities of board and compound.

See how MetreMate compares

Free calculators for your trade

Quick numbers before you open the plan. Every one shows its working.

Plasterboard and cornice calculator

Quote in minutes, not hours

Set the scale once and measure straight off the PDF. Your first measurement takes under 90 seconds, and it's free to start.

Try MetreMate, it's free

No credit card needed

The slow way, or the smart way

What changes when plasterboard suppliers measure in MetreMate instead of off a printout.

Without MetreMate

Combining wall runs with ceiling heights and deducting openings by hand
Cornice lineal metres easy to under measure
Board and compound quantities that vary between staff

With MetreMate

Area tool for ceiling square metres
Measure and perimeter for wall runs and cornice
Count for openings and sheets
Layers for walls, ceilings and wet areas
Pencil tool for freehand mark-ups, and to add your initials or signature by hand

500+

Tradies using MetreMate

50,000+

Measurements taken

90s

Average time to measure

Everything you can measure off the plan

Set the scale once, then pull the quantities plasterboard suppliers actually quote on.

Lengths & lineal metres

Any distance, edge, or run measured straight off the plan.

Areas in m²

Trace rooms, slabs, and zones for instant square metres.

Perimeters

Boundary and edge runs totalled for you, no maths.

Counts

Tap to count fixtures, fittings, and symbols with live totals.

Step by step

How plasterboard suppliers use MetreMate

1
Wall and ceiling area
Trace ceiling area and work wall area from runs and height, off the plan.
2
Deduct and convert
Deduct openings, then convert square metres to sheets by sheet size.
3
Cornice runs
Measure cornice and trims in lineal metres and keep scopes on layers.

Read our how-to guides