Drywall Calculator
You need the total wall and ceiling area divided by the size of one sheet, plus 10% for waste. Enter your room size to get sheets, screws, tape, and joint compound.
How to estimate drywall sheets
Add the wall area (room perimeter × height) to the ceiling area if you are boarding it, then divide by the sheet size. Larger 4×12 sheets mean fewer joints to tape but are harder to handle solo. The calculator adds 10% for waste from cutouts and offcuts.
Screws, tape, and compound
Each sheet takes about 32 screws; tape runs roughly half a foot per square foot of board; and joint compound is about a gallon per 100 square feet once you account for three coats. Buy a little extra mud — it is cheap and you never want to run out mid-coat.
Insulation comes first
If the walls are open, insulate before you board. Size that with the insulation calculator, and measure any odd walls with the square footage calculator.
Frequently asked
How many sheets of drywall do I need?
Add up the wall and ceiling area, then divide by the square footage of one sheet — 32 sq ft for 4×8 or 48 sq ft for 4×12 — and add 10% for waste.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
Plan on about 32 screws per sheet: one every 12 inches on the field and 8 inches along the edges. Ceilings use slightly more.
How much joint compound and tape do I need?
Allow roughly one gallon of all-purpose compound per 100 square feet across all coats, and about half a foot of tape per square foot of drywall.