Interior
Drywall Calculator
Estimate drywall sheets, joint compound, tape, and screws by wall and ceiling area.
Inputs
4×8 = 32; 4×12 = 48.
Live estimate
Sheets needed
32
- Total area (with waste)
- 1,000 sq ft
- Joint compound
- 1.7 gal
- Tape
- 1,280 lf
- Screws
- 1,024
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 32
- Material behavior
- Not applicable
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole sheet
- Suggested order
- 32
Estimator confidence
HighStraightforward geometry with well-defined material.
- Sheet orientation — Horizontal hangs cut differently around openings than vertical hangs.
- Order 5/8 inch on ceilings for fire resistance and sag prevention.
- Use moisture-resistant board in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Screws every 12 inches on ceilings, 16 inches on walls.
- Buying only enough sheets for the exact area.
- Using 1/2 inch board on ceilings and getting sag over time.
- Under-screwing ceiling drywall.
Smart tips
- Ordering 5–10% extra is standard on irregular layouts. Running short costs more than the excess.
How it's calculated
Total area = (wall area + ceiling area) × (1 + waste %).
Sheets = ceil(total area ÷ sheet size).
Joint compound ≈ 1 gal per 19 sheets. Tape ≈ 40 lf per sheet. Screws ≈ 32 per sheet.
Material assumptions
- Standard sheet sizes: 4×8 (32 sq ft) and 4×12 (48 sq ft).
- Joint compound: about 1 gallon per 19 sheets.
- Screws: ~32 per sheet at 12-in ceiling spacing.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
This is a material estimate. Framing, insulation, and finishing are separate line items.