Drywall Calculator – Sheets, Screws, Tape & Mud
Use this drywall calculator to estimate how many sheets and materials you need for walls and ceilings. Enter room length, width, wall height, and openings — or type in a total area — then choose a sheet size (4×8, 4×10, 4×12 or custom) and waste factor. The tool returns a complete material estimate including drywall sheets, screws or nails, joint tape rolls, joint compound buckets, and corner bead sticks.
Recommended Sizes & Tips
- 8′ walls: 4×8 or 4×12 hung horizontally reduces seams.
- 9–10′ walls: 4×12 is ideal to minimize butt joints.
- Ceilings: 5/8″ board helps reduce sag, especially with insulation.
- Openings: Subtract door and window area for a more precise sheet count.
How We Estimate
Net area = wall area (perimeter × height) plus optional ceiling area, minus openings. Sheets = ceil(net area ÷ sheet area × (1 + waste%)). Screws are estimated by area (~1.2 per ft² on walls, ~1.4 per ft² on ceilings). Tape is approximated from net area and seam sharing. Joint compound uses a default coverage of ~400 ft² per 4.5 gal bucket.
Related Tools
For panel projects and finishing, try the Plywood Calculator and Resin Calculator.