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Drywall Calculator

Calculate drywall materials needed

Total Sheets Needed

17

Total Area

472.0 sq ft

Base Sheets

15

Joint Compound

5 gal

Units

Standard: 32 sq ft (4×8), 40 sq ft (4×10), 48 sq ft (4×12)

Total Area

472.0 sq ft

Base Sheets

15

Joint Compound

5 gal

Tape Rolls

3

Sheet Calculation

Total Area472.0 sq ft
Sheet Size32 sq ft
Base Sheets15
Waste (10%)2
Total Sheets17

Materials at a Glance

Drywall Sheets17 units
Joint Compound5 units
Tape Rolls3 units

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How do you calculate drywall needed?

Calculate total wall area (perimeter × height) plus ceiling area. Divide by sheet size (typically 32 sq ft for 4×8 sheets). Add 10% waste for cuts and errors.

Q

What size are standard drywall sheets?

Standard sizes: 4×8 feet (32 sq ft), 4×10 feet (40 sq ft), 4×12 feet (48 sq ft). Thickness is typically 1/2" for walls and 5/8" for ceilings.

Q

How much joint compound do I need?

Estimate 1 gallon of joint compound per 100 square feet of drywall. This covers taping, first coat, and finish coat. For textured finishes, you may need more.

Q

How much drywall tape do I need?

Estimate 1 roll of drywall tape (500 feet) per 200 square feet of drywall. This covers seams and corners. Paper tape is most common, but mesh tape is also used.

Example Calculations

1Standard Room (12 × 10 × 8 ft, 4×8 sheets)

Inputs

Room Length12 ft
Room Width10 ft
Ceiling Height8 ft
Sheet Size32 sq ft (4×8)

Result

Total Sheets Needed16 sheets
Total Area472.0 sq ft
Base Sheets15
Joint Compound5 gallons
Tape Rolls3

Wall area = 2 × (12 + 10) × 8 = 352 sq ft. Ceiling = 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft. Total = 472 sq ft. Sheets = 472 / 32 = 14.75. With 10% waste: 14.75 × 1.1 = 16.2, rounded up to 16 sheets. Joint compound = ceil(472/100) = 5 gal. Tape = ceil(472/200) = 3 rolls.

2Large Room (20 × 15 × 9 ft, 4×12 sheets)

Inputs

Room Length20 ft
Room Width15 ft
Ceiling Height9 ft
Sheet Size48 sq ft (4×12)

Result

Total Sheets Needed18 sheets
Total Area930.0 sq ft
Base Sheets20
Joint Compound10 gallons
Tape Rolls5

Wall area = 2 × (20 + 15) × 9 = 630 sq ft. Ceiling = 20 × 15 = 300 sq ft. Total = 930 sq ft. Sheets = 930 / 48 = 19.375. With 10% waste: 19.375 × 1.1 = 21.3, rounded up to 22 sheets. Joint compound = ceil(930/100) = 10 gal. Tape = ceil(930/200) = 5 rolls.

Formulas Used

Total Area

Total Area = (2 × (Length + Width) × Height) + (Length × Width)

Calculates wall area (perimeter × height) plus ceiling area (length × width).

Where:

Length= Room length in feet
Width= Room width in feet
Height= Ceiling height in feet

Sheets Needed

Total Sheets = ceil((Total Area / Sheet Size) × 1.10)

Divides total area by sheet size and adds 10% waste, then rounds up.

Where:

Sheet Size= Area per sheet in sq ft (e.g. 32 for 4×8)
1.10= 10% waste factor for cuts and errors

Joint Compound & Tape

Joint Compound (gal) = ceil(Total Area / 100), Tape (rolls) = ceil(Total Area / 200)

Estimates 1 gallon of joint compound per 100 sq ft and 1 roll of tape per 200 sq ft.

Where:

100= Sq ft covered per gallon of joint compound
200= Sq ft covered per roll of tape

Understanding Drywall Installation

Drywall installation requires calculating total wall and ceiling area.

Standard 4×8 sheets cover 32 square feet each.

Always add 10% waste for cuts, corners, and errors when ordering materials.

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Last Updated: Feb 12, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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