How much Dri-Wall adhesive do I need per m²?

Gyproc Dri-Wall adhesive covers approximately 2.5-3.0 m² per 25kg bag when applied using the standard dot and dab method. The dabs should be roughly 50-75mm wide and spaced at 600mm centres horizontally, with three dabs per plasterboard width. A continuous ribbon of adhesive is applied along the top and bottom of each board.

What is the dot and dab method?

Dot and dab (also called dry lining) is a method of fixing plasterboard directly to masonry walls using adhesive dabs. Blobs of adhesive (typically Gyproc Dri-Wall or Knauf Perlfix) are applied to the wall, then the plasterboard is pressed onto them and straightened with a spirit level. It is faster than traditional wet plastering and is the standard method for lining brick or block walls in UK new builds. For stud-framed dry lining systems, see our Dry Lining Calculator.

How thick are dot and dab walls?

A dot and dab wall adds approximately 22-25mm to the wall thickness — roughly 10mm of adhesive gap plus 12.5mm of plasterboard. This is significantly thinner than a metal stud dry lining system. The gap between the wall and plasterboard also provides a small amount of insulation and allows for minor wall irregularities.

Can I dot and dab onto any wall?

Dot and dab works best on solid masonry walls — brick, block, or concrete. The wall must be structurally sound, clean, and free from loose material. It is NOT recommended for damp walls (damp must be treated first), painted surfaces (unless scored), or stud partition walls (use screws instead). Use a suitable primer if the surface is very absorbent.

How many plasterboard sheets do I need?

Divide your total wall area by the sheet area. A standard 2400 × 1200mm plasterboard sheet covers 2.88 m². For example, a wall that is 5m long and 2.4m high (12 m²) would need approximately 5 sheets, plus 10% wastage = 6 sheets. Always round up to the next whole sheet. Our Plasterboard Calculator can also help if you need to account for door and window openings.

Dot and Dab Calculator — How Much Adhesive and Plasterboard?

Dot and Dab Calculator — Adhesive & Plasterboard Estimator

Calculate how many bags of dot and dab adhesive and plasterboard sheets you need. Based on Gyproc Dri-Wall and Knauf Perlfix coverage rates.

Input Method

Wall Length

Length of each wall

Wall Height

Standard UK ceiling height is 2.4m

Number of Walls

Adhesive Type

Plasterboard Size

Include wastage allowance

Adds 10% extra for cutting and losses

Wastage Percentage

10% is standard for dot and dab work

Price Per Adhesive Bag (optional)

Price per 25kg bag of adhesive

Price Per Plasterboard Sheet (optional)

Price per plasterboard sheet

How We Calculate This

Our dot and dab calculator works out both the adhesive and plasterboard quantities for your project. We calculate the total wall area and divide by the coverage rate for your chosen adhesive, plus the number of plasterboard sheets needed.

The formula

Adhesive bags = Total area ÷ Coverage per bag × Wastage factor

Plasterboard sheets = Total area ÷ Sheet area × Wastage factor

Coverage rates

Gyproc Dri-Wall adhesive: 2.5-3.0 m² per 25kg bag (we use 2.75 m²)
Knauf Perlfix: 2.5-3.0 m² per 25kg bag (we use 2.75 m²)
Generic adhesive: 2.5 m² per 25kg bag

Application method

The standard dot and dab method uses dabs at 600mm horizontal centres with three columns per board width. A continuous ribbon of adhesive runs along the top (ceiling line) and bottom (floor line) of each board. This is the method recommended by British Gypsum for their Gyproc plasterboard range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.

Dot and Dab Calculator — Adhesive & Plasterboard Estimator

How We Calculate This

The formula

Coverage rates

Application method

Frequently Asked Questions

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