Drywall Calculator
Sheets, mud, tape and screws for a roomRuns in your browser
Rough material cost
$273Default prices are rough 2026 US big-box averages before tax and delivery. Edit them to match quotes from your local supplier.
Material estimates only. Round up, buy a little extra, and check with your supplier. Structural work (footings, framing, roofs) must follow local building codes; consult a licensed contractor where required.
How it works
Formulas
Area = 2 × (length + width) × height − openings (+ ceiling)Sheets = area × (1 + waste %) ÷ sheet area (32, 40 or 48 sq ft)Per 1,000 sq ft: ≈ 370 ft of tape and 9.4 gal of ready-mixed compoundManufacturer (USG) guideline for a three-coat finish.
Worked example
Input: 12 × 12 ft room, 8 ft walls, ceiling, 1 door, 1 window, 4×8 sheets, 10% waste.
- Walls 384 − 36 = 348 sq ft, ceiling 144 sq ft → 492 sq ft.
- 492 × 1.1 ÷ 32 = 16.9 → 17 sheets.
Result: 17 sheets, ~4.6 gal compound, 183 ft tape.
How to use
- 1Enter the room size and wall height.
- 2Count doors and windows to subtract.
- 3Choose the sheet size and whether to include the ceiling.
- 4Read the sheets, compound, tape and screws.
FAQ
How many sheets of drywall for a 12 × 12 room?
With 8 ft walls and the ceiling, about 17 sheets of 4×8 including 10% waste (one door and one window subtracted).
Should I use 4×8 or 4×12 sheets?
Longer sheets mean fewer joints to tape and a better finish, but they are heavy and awkward. 4×8 is easier for one person and for ceilings.
Can I use metric units?
Yes. Switch to Metric and enter meters and centimeters; results show cubic meters, square meters or tonnes alongside US units.