Drywall Calculator
Your estimate
- Drywall area
- 478 ft²53.11 yd² · 44.41 m²
- Joint compound
- 66 lb29.9 kg
- Joint tape
- 176.9 ft53.9 m
Sheets of drywall (plasterboard) for walls and ceiling, with the mud, tape and screws to finish them.
Updated 2026-10-20 · Based on: coverage figures from paint and drywall makers (USG).
How to use the Drywall Calculator
- Enter the room size and wall height.
- Enter doors and windows and whether the ceiling is included.
- Pick the sheet size.
- Read sheets, joint compound, tape and screws.
Formula
Sheets = (wall area − openings + ceiling) ÷ sheet area × (1 + waste). A 4 × 8 sheet covers 32 ft².
Per 1,000 ft² of drywall: about 138 lb of joint compound, 370 ft of tape and 1,000 screws.
Worked example
With the values preset in the calculator above:
- Length
- 12 ft
- Width
- 12 ft
- Height
- 8 ft
- Doors
- 1
- Windows
- 2
- Include ceiling
- Yes
- Sheet size
- 4 × 8 ft
- Extra for waste
- 10 %
- Sheets
- 17
- Drywall area
- 478 ft² (53.11 yd²)
- Joint compound
- 66 lb (29.9 kg)
- Joint tape
- 176.9 ft (53.9 m)
- Screws
- 478
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12 × 12 room?
With 8 ft walls and the ceiling: 17 sheets of 4 × 8 including 10 % waste.
Should I use 4×8 or 4×12 sheets?
Longer sheets mean fewer joints to tape, but they are heavier. 4 × 12 is common on walls in new construction.
How much joint compound do I need?
About 0.14 lb per ft² of board for three coats — 66 lb for a 12 × 12 room with ceiling.
More calculators
Estimates only — check quantities with your supplier and local building code before you order.