Abstract A numerical approach to evaluate the stiffness parameters for corrugated board is presented in this paper. The method is based on a detailed micromechanical representation of a region of corrugated board modelled by means of finite elements. In order to define the stiffness properties, energy equivalency is imposed between the discrete model and the equivalent plate. Exploiting a transformation matrix capable to map a constant strain/curvature vector for the equivalent plate in a displacement field of the FEM boundary nodes, it is possible to express an equivalent ABD matrix as a function of the boundary condensed stiffness matrix of the FEM model. Practical examples dealing with the computation of stiffness properties of paperboard are presented.