Micro Tools
Advertisement

Drywall Sheet Calculator

Estimate drywall sheets, joint compound and screws for walls and ceilings from total square footage and sheet size.

Drywall sheets

Enter total drywall surface area. Results update live.

Sheets needed
-

Enter the area to see the estimate.

Advertisement

Choosing a sheet size

Four by eight sheets are easiest to handle alone, while four by twelve sheets cover a wall with fewer seams, which means less taping. Larger sheets need two people to hang, so pick the size your crew can manage safely.

Compound and screw rules of thumb

A five gallon bucket of joint compound covers roughly 400 to 500 square feet of hung drywall across three coats. Screws go every 12 inches on ceilings and 16 inches on walls, which works out to about 30 screws per sheet.

Related tools

Mortgage calculatorMonthly cost with taxes, insurance, PMI and payoff schedule. Loan calculatorMonthly payment and interest for auto and personal loans. Compound interestSee how savings grow with compound interest.

Drywall Sheet Calc FAQs

How many drywall sheets do I need per 100 square feet?
Three 4 by 8 sheets cover 96 square feet, so allow four sheets with waste. The calculator rounds up and adds your waste margin automatically.
Should I use 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch drywall?
Half inch suits most walls, while 5/8 inch is required for ceilings with 24 inch joist spacing and for fire rated assemblies. Check your local building code.
How much joint compound do I need?
Plan one five gallon bucket per 400 to 500 square feet of drywall for a standard three coat finish. Textured finishes can need a little more.
How many screws per drywall sheet?
About 30 screws per 4 by 8 sheet when fastening walls on 16 inch centers. Ceilings need screws every 12 inches, so they use slightly more.
Do I count both sides of a wall?
Yes, measure the square footage of drywall surface, not floor area. A partition wall needs drywall on both faces, so count both sides.
Advertisement