How much of the room should be covered with acoustic panels?

For a mixing room: 25-40% of wall and ceiling area. For a recording room: 15-25% (you want some liveness). For a vocal booth: 40-60%. Over-treating makes a room sound dead and uncomfortable. Start with 20-25% and add more if needed.

Where should I place acoustic panels first?

Priority order: 1) First reflection points on side walls and ceiling, 2) Behind the monitors, 3) Rear wall, 4) Above the mixing position (cloud). Use the mirror trick — sit at the mixing position and have someone slide a mirror along the wall. Where you can see a monitor in the mirror is a reflection point.

What size panels are most effective?

60×120cm (2×4 ft) is the most common and practical size. This is wide enough to catch reflections and fits standard mineral wool dimensions. Thickness of 50-100mm is ideal for mid and high frequency absorption. For bass, thicker panels or dedicated bass traps are needed.

Can I make acoustic panels myself?

Yes, DIY panels are popular and cost-effective. Use 50-100mm Rockwool or mineral wool in a timber frame, covered with acoustically transparent fabric. Total cost per panel is typically £15-30 compared to £60-150+ for commercial panels of similar performance.

AudioCalcs

Acoustic Panel Calculator — Number & Size of Panels Needed

Calculate the number and size of acoustic panels needed for a room.

Room Length

Room Width

Room Height

Target Coverage

Panel Width

Panel Height

How We Calculate This

Surface Area

Walls = 2(L×H) + 2(W×H)

Ceiling = L × W

Panels Needed

Panels = (Total Area × Coverage%) / Panel Area

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify results for critical applications.