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Drywall Calculator

Free drywall calculator. Enter room dimensions to calculate sheets, mud, tape, and screws needed. Get a complete drywall materials list instantly.

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Unit Prices

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Materials List

Wall Area334 sq ft
Drywall Sheets (4x8)11 sheets
Sheet Cost$165.00
Joint Compound4 boxes
Mud Cost$72.00
Drywall Tape3 rolls
Tape Cost$15.00
Drywall Screws352 screws (3 boxes)
Screw Cost$30.00

Total Materials Cost

$282.00

Total$282.00
Drywall Sheets59%
Joint Compound26%
Tape5%
Screws11%

12,800+ estimates calculated this month

Drywall Installation Guide

Professional standards for hanging, finishing, and estimating drywall projects in 2026.

Drywall Types & Applications

Using the wrong board compromises safety and longevity. Know your types:

  • Regular (1/2-inch): Standard for residential walls/ceilings in dry areas.
  • Lightweight (1/2-inch): Weighs ~25% less (42lbs vs 57lbs). Worth the small premium for ceiling work.
  • Fire-Rated (5/8-inch Type X): Mandatory for garage walls shared with living spaces and around furnace rooms. 1-hour fire rating.
  • Moisture-Resistant (Green/Purple board): Essential for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and damp areas. NOT waterproof (use cement board for showers).

Key Takeaways

  • Use 5/8" Type X for garages (Fire Code)
  • Use Green/Purple board for bathrooms
  • Lightweight boards reduce fatigue on ceilings

Sheet Layout Strategy

Professional layout minimizes butt joints (short end to short end), which are hardest to hide.

Hang Horizontally: Creates one long seam at waist height (48" up). Stronger structurally as it spans more studs. Reduce butt joints by using 12-foot sheets on long walls.

Ceilings First: Always hang ceiling sheets before walls. The wall sheets support the ceiling edges.

Key Takeaways

  • Hang horizontally for fewer joints
  • Hang ceilings before walls
  • Stagger seams by at least 4 feet

Finishing Levels (0-5)

Don't overpay for Level 5 smooth finishes in a garage.

  • Level 3: Tape + 2 coats. Good for heavy texture (knockdown/popcorn).
  • Level 4: Tape + 3 coats (sanded). Standard for flat/eggshell paints.
  • Level 5: Level 4 + full skim coat. Required for gloss paint or critical lighting areas to prevent joint photographing.

Key Takeaways

  • Level 4 is standard residential finish
  • Level 5 required for high-gloss paint
  • Level 3 is sufficient under heavy texture

2026 Drywall Pricing & Labor

Expect to pay $1.50 - $3.50 per sq. ft. for comprehensive hang-and-finish labor in 2026.

Material Costs (4x8 Sheet):

  • Regular 1/2": $13 - $16
  • Ultralight: $14 - $18
  • Mold/Moisture: $16 - $22
  • Fire-Rated 5/8": $15 - $20

Key Takeaways

  • Labor: $1.50 - $3.50 / sq ft (Hang & Finish)
  • Materials: ~$15 / sheet average
  • Waste: Budget 15% extra for cuts

How to Use This Calculator

Enter room dimensions

Input the length, width, and ceiling height of the room. The calculator uses these to determine total wall area.

Specify doors and windows

Enter the number of doors and windows so the calculator subtracts those openings from the wall area, giving you an accurate sheet count.

Adjust material prices

Update the unit prices for sheets, joint compound, tape, and screws to reflect your local material costs.

Review your materials list

See the exact number of 4x8 sheets, boxes of mud, rolls of tape, and screws you need along with the total cost estimate.

Drywall Calculation Formulas

Wall Area = 2 x (Length + Width) x Height - (Doors x 20 sq ft) - (Windows x 15 sq ft)
Sheets = Wall Area / 32 (rounded up)
Joint Compound = Sheets / 3 (boxes, rounded up)
Tape = Sheets / 4 (rolls, rounded up)
Screws = Sheets x 32

Where:

Sheet Area
= 32 sq ft per standard 4x8 sheet
Door Opening
= 20 sq ft average per standard door
Window Opening
= 15 sq ft average per standard window

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many sheets of drywall do I need for a room?
Divide the total wall area by 32 square feet (the area of a standard 4x8 sheet) and round up. A typical 12x12 room with 8-foot ceilings needs about 12 to 14 sheets after subtracting doors and windows.
How much joint compound do I need?
Plan on roughly one box of pre-mixed joint compound for every 3 sheets of drywall. This covers three coats of taping, filling, and finishing. Larger rooms or textured finishes may require more.
What size drywall should I use?
For most residential projects, 1/2-inch thick, 4x8-foot sheets are standard. Use 5/8-inch for ceilings (to reduce sag) and for garage walls shared with living spaces (fire code). Moisture-resistant greenboard is recommended for bathrooms.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
The standard rule is 32 screws per 4x8 sheet. Screws should be placed every 12 inches along edges and every 16 inches in the field. Use 1-1/4 inch coarse-thread drywall screws for 1/2-inch panels.
Should I add extra drywall for waste?
Yes. Most professionals add 10 to 15 percent extra for cutting waste, especially in rooms with lots of angles or windows. This calculator provides a baseline; consider adding a buffer for complex layouts.

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