Drywall Calculator — ft, sheets, tape & cost
How to use this calculator
Choose an input mode — single wall, full room perimeter, ceiling, or custom area — enter dimensions in feet and inches with fraction precision, select sheet size and thickness. Subtract doors and windows. Results update instantly with sheets needed, tape, mud, screws, and corner bead.
Tape & Mud — joint tape rolls (500 ft/roll), joint compound (covers ~100 ft² per coat), 2-3 coats.
Screws — approximately 1 screw per ft², ~1 lb per 100 screws.
Cost — price per sheet, per tape roll, per mud bucket, per lb of screws.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Mode | Area ft² | Sheets | Tape | Mud | Screws | Total $ |
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How to Calculate Drywall for a Room
This drywall calculator estimates the number of drywall sheets, joint tape rolls, joint compound buckets, screws, and corner bead pieces needed for walls and ceilings. Enter room dimensions in feet and inches with fraction precision, select your sheet size (4×8, 4×10, or 4×12), and set the waste allowance from 5% to 20%.
Formulas Used
Net area = gross wall/ceiling area − door openings − window openings.
Sheets = ceil(net area × (1 + waste%) ÷ sheet area).
Joint tape = perimeter joints ÷ 500 ft per roll.
Joint compound = net area ÷ 100 ft² per coat × number of coats.
Screws = 1 per ft² of drywall installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size drywall should I use? 4×8 is standard and easiest to handle. 4×12 sheets reduce joints but are heavier. Use ½" for most walls and ceilings; ⅝" for fire-rated assemblies or soundproofing.
How much waste should I plan for? 10% is typical for rectangular rooms. Use 15-20% for rooms with many corners, angles, or cutouts. Minimize waste by planning sheet layout before cutting.
