Drywall calculator: sheets, mud and tape
Enter the rooms, the openings and the sheet size. You get the number of sheets, joint compound, tape, screws and a rough job price. Everything stays in your browser.
Your estimate
- Wall area (after doors and windows)
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- Ceiling area
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- Total area
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- Sheets (with waste)
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- Joint compound (ready-mix)
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- Paper tape
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- Screws
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- Sheet cost
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- Labor (rough)
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- Rough job total
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Estimates only. Compound, tape and screws use common rules of thumb per 1,000 sq ft of board (about 10 gallons of ready-mix, 370 ft of tape, about 1 screw per sq ft). Your finish level, framing and product labels change the real numbers.
How to measure a room for drywall
- Measure the length and width of the room along the floor, in feet, and the wall height.
- Check the ceiling box if you are hanging the ceiling too.
- Count the doors and windows to subtract. For small openings, many hangers don’t subtract and use the cut-outs as scrap.
- Pick the sheet size. Longer sheets mean fewer butt joints on long walls but are heavier to carry and hang.
Drywall sheets by room size
8-foot walls plus the ceiling, 1 door, 1 window, 10% waste. Computed with the same formula as the calculator above.
| Room (ft) | Total area | 4×8 sheets | 4×12 sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 385 sq ft | 14 | 9 |
| 10 × 12 | 437 sq ft | 16 | 11 |
| 12 × 12 | 493 sq ft | 17 | 12 |
| 12 × 14 | 549 sq ft | 19 | 13 |
| 14 × 16 | 669 sq ft | 23 | 16 |
| 16 × 20 | 861 sq ft | 30 | 20 |
Mud, tape and screws
The compound, tape and screw numbers are rules of thumb for taping and three coats with ready-mix and paper tape. Setting-type compound, mesh tape, a higher finish level or a texture change the amounts. Check the bucket and box labels.
Screw spacing depends on framing and code. Ceilings usually need closer spacing than walls.
What this calculator leaves out
Corner bead, adhesive, insulation, moisture- or fire-rated board requirements, texture, primer and paint are not included. Follow the board maker’s instructions and your local code.
Questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12 × 12 room?
With 8-foot walls, one door, one window and the ceiling, the area is about 493 sq ft. With 10% waste that is 17 sheets of 4×8, or 12 sheets of 4×12.
Should I use 4×8 or 4×12 sheets?
4×12 sheets cover more and leave fewer joints to tape on long walls and ceilings. 4×8 sheets are lighter and easier to get into small rooms and up stairs. Many crews mix both.
How much joint compound do I need?
A common rule of thumb is about 10 gallons of ready-mix compound per 1,000 sq ft of board for taping and three coats. That is a little over two 4.5-gallon buckets. Your finish level and technique change this.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
Roughly one screw per square foot of board is a common planning number, so about 32 for a 4×8 sheet. Actual spacing depends on framing, walls vs. ceilings and local code.
Is this calculator free? Does it save my numbers?
Yes, it is free and needs no sign-up. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere; the math runs in your browser and is gone when you close the page.
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