How Many Bags of POP Cement Do I Need? (Room-by-Room Guide)
Last updated 18 October 2026
Short answer: for a plain POP ceiling, plan on roughly one 40kg bag for every 2 to 3 square metres of ceiling. A normal 12 ft × 12 ft bedroom takes about 5 to 7 bags; with designs, about 8 to 10.
These are planning figures. The exact number depends on your design, board thickness and your installer's method, so always ask your POP installer to measure before you buy.
Bags of POP cement by room size
| Room | Plain ceiling | With designs |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft × 10 ft (about 9 m²) | 4–5 bags | 5–7 bags |
| 12 ft × 12 ft (about 13 m²) | 5–7 bags | 8–10 bags |
| 14 ft × 14 ft (about 18 m²) | 7–9 bags | 10–12 bags |
| Living room, 16 ft × 20 ft (about 30 m²) | 12–15 bags | 16–20 bags |
| 3-bedroom flat (about 100 m² of ceiling) | 40–50 bags | 55–65 bags |
Work it out yourself in three steps
- Measure the ceiling. Length × width, in metres. (Feet ÷ 3.28 = metres.) Add up every room.
- Divide by 2.5. That gives the number of bags for a plain ceiling.
- Add for designs and wastage. Add about a third for drops, cornices and designs, and round up.
Example: a room 4 m × 4 m is 16 m². 16 ÷ 2.5 = 6.4, so buy 7 bags for a plain ceiling, or about 9 with designs.
What else to buy with your POP cement
- Fibre filas to reinforce the boards so they don't crack (Fibre Filas 8 Bundles (100kg), ₦4,500 per kg).
- Bonding agent if you are also screeding walls (METRO BOND (BIG) 10KG, ₦28,000).
- Screeding or POP paint to finish. See our paints.
Not sure of the quantities? Send your room sizes on WhatsApp and we will help you work it out.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Buying exactly the number you calculated. Boards break and some mix is wasted. Round up by one or two bags.
- Buying too far ahead. POP cement absorbs moisture. Store bags off the floor, in a dry, covered place, and use them soon.
- Mixing brands in one ceiling. Different gypsum can set differently. Buy all the bags for a job at once.
Buy POP cement in Ajah
POP CEMENT NEW (WHITE GIPS) 40kg is ₦10,000 per bag today. See today's full POP price list, order online, or WhatsApp +234 916 572 3000. Shop: 73 Addo Road, Along Pump And Sell, Ajah, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of POP cement for a 12 by 12 room?
About 5 to 7 bags of 40kg POP cement for a plain ceiling, and about 8 to 10 bags if the ceiling has designs, drops or cornices.
How many square metres does one bag of POP cement cover?
For a plain POP ceiling, plan on roughly 2 to 3 square metres per 40kg bag. Designs, thicker boards and wastage use more.
How many bags of POP cement for a 3-bedroom flat?
For a flat with about 100 square metres of ceiling, plan on roughly 40 to 50 bags for plain ceilings and 55 to 65 bags with designs. Ask your installer to measure before you buy.