CalcBrazilian Drywall Stud Spacing Calculator
Last updated: 2026-08-24
How to Use This Calculator
This Brazilian drywall stud spacing calculator helps you estimate the materials needed for a drywall partition following NBR 15758 guidelines. Start by entering the wall height and width in millimeters. The standard stud spacing is 600 mm, but you can change it to 400 mm or 300 mm for higher load requirements. Board dimensions default to 1200 x 2400 mm, which are the most common sizes in Brazil. After clicking calculate, you will see the number of studs, the quantity of drywall boards, the total screws required, and the estimated board waste percentage. Use the waste percentage to optimize your layout: if waste is high, adjust wall dimensions to better fit board multiples.
Formula and Methodology
The calculator is based on the following methodology: The number of studs is determined by dividing the wall width by the desired spacing and adding one (for the end stud). The number of boards is calculated by determining how many boards fit along the width and height, then multiplying. For standard 1200 mm wide boards, you need one board per 1200 mm of width; for leftover width, another board is required. Screws are estimated at 36 per board, which covers perimeter and field fastening as per NBR 15758. Waste is computed as the difference between total board area and wall area, divided by board area. This oversimplifies because offcuts may be reused, but it gives a clear indication of material efficiency.
Practical Examples
Example 1: A wall 2400 mm high and 3600 mm wide with 600 mm spacing. Height matches board height (2400 mm) so no vertical waste. Width 3600 mm uses three 1200 mm boards. Studs: (3600/600)+1 = 7. Boards: 1 row vertically × 3 horizontally = 3 boards. Screws: 3×36 = 108. Waste: 0%. Example 2: Wall 2600 mm high × 4000 mm wide. Height requires two 2400 mm boards vertically (2400+2400=4800, but only 2600 needed – waste from second board). Width uses four 1200 mm boards (4800 mm, 800 mm waste). Total boards: 2×4=8. Studs: (4000/600)+1 ≈ 7.67 → 8. Screws: 8×36=288. Waste: ((8×2.88 m² - 10.4 m²)/(8×2.88))×100 ≈ 54.9%. This high waste suggests considering different board sizes or wall dimensions.
Tips and Best Practices
Always plan your drywall layout before cutting. Use board dimensions that match the wall height to avoid horizontal joints – vertical joints are easier to finish. For heights above 2400 mm, consider using 2700 mm or 3000 mm boards if available. Stagger joints between layers for better sound insulation. Add extra studs around doors, windows, and corners – this calculator provides a baseline for solid walls. For partition walls requiring acoustic or fire resistance, refer to NBR 15758 for specific spacing and screw patterns. Always purchase 5-10% extra material to account for cutting errors and on‑site adjustments. Use the waste percentage as a design tool, not a strict budget – some waste is inevitable.
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FAQ
What is the standard stud spacing according to NBR 15758?
The Brazilian standard NBR 15758 recommends a maximum stud spacing of 600 mm for simple partitions (non‑load‑bearing). For load‑bearing walls or higher loads, spacing must be reduced – often to 400 mm or 300 mm – based on structural design. This calculator defaults to 600 mm but you can adjust it.
How many screws per drywall board are recommended?
For a standard 1200 x 2400 mm board, NBR 15758 recommends about 36 screws: 8 along each long edge (every 300 mm), 4 along each short edge, and 12 in the field (every 400 mm). This calculator uses 36 screws per board as a reliable average. For double‑layered walls, multiply by the number of layers.
How do I reduce board waste?
To minimize waste, plan the wall height and width as multiples of board dimensions whenever possible. For example, if using 1200×2400 mm boards, design walls with heights of 2400 mm or 4800 mm and widths of 1200, 2400, 3600 mm, etc. This calculator shows the waste percentage so you can adjust dimensions accordingly.