CONSTRUCTION · INTERIOR

Drywall Calculator

Estimate the number of drywall sheets, joint compound, tape, and screws needed for your project. Covers walls and ceiling with full supply list and cost.

LAST REVIEWED · APR 24, 2026 · BY D. MARQUEZ, P.E.
You need
19 sheets
Est. cost
$357
Room DimensionsReset
Room length
ft
Room width
ft
Ceiling height8 ft standard
ft
Sheet Size & Pricing
Sheet size4x8 easiest to handle
Price per sheetStandard 1/2 inch
USD
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How the drywall calculator works

The calculator sums wall area + ceiling area, then divides by sheet size to determine the number of sheets. It also calculates the joint compound, tape, and screws you'll need — supplies that are easy to forget when ordering materials.

Choosing sheet size

  • 4×8 — easiest to handle, fits standard 8-foot ceilings, good for DIY
  • 4×10 — fewer joints on 9-10 foot walls
  • 4×12 — fewest joints but heavy (about 80 lbs), typically used by pros

Drywall thickness

½ inch is standard for walls and ceilings with 16-inch joist spacing. Use ⅝ inch for ceilings with 24-inch spacing (prevents sagging) and for garage walls between the garage and living space (fire code). ¼ inch is for curved walls and overlays.

Methodology. Wall area = Perimeter × Height. Ceiling area = Length × Width. Total area ÷ sheet size = sheets needed. Joint compound: 0.053 lbs per sq ft. Tape: seam length estimate. Screws: 1 per sq ft. Sheet sizes: 4×8 (32 sq ft), 4×10 (40 sq ft), 4×12 (48 sq ft).

Sources

  • USG (United States Gypsum) installation guides
  • Joint compound coverage: ~18 lbs per 100 sq ft of drywall
  • Average drywall price: $12–$18 per 4×8 sheet (2026)
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Frequently asked questions

How many sheets of drywall for a 12×14 room? +
Wall area: 416 sq ft. Ceiling: 168 sq ft. Total: 584 sq ft ÷ 32 (4×8 sheets) = 19 sheets. You'll also need about 31 lbs of compound, tape, and around 584 screws.
How much does it cost to drywall a room? +
Materials for a 12×14 room run about $350–$400 (sheets, compound, tape, screws). Professional installation adds $1.50–$3.00/sq ft for hang, tape, and finish — roughly $875–$1,750 for the same room.
Can I hang drywall by myself? +
Walls are manageable solo with a drywall lift or T-brace. Ceilings are extremely difficult alone — rent a drywall lift ($30–$50/day) or get a helper. The taping and finishing is where skill matters most; consider hiring a pro for just the finishing.
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