How it’s calculated
- Area = Σ 2 × (length + width) × height (+ ceilings) − openings
- Sheets = area × (1 + waste %) ÷ sheet area
- Tape and compound = area × rate ÷ 1,000
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft room, 8 ft walls, no ceiling, 4 × 8 sheets, 10% waste.
Inputs
- Rooms
- 12 × 12 ft
- Wall height
- 8 ft
- Include ceilings
- No
- Doors (total)
- 0
- Windows (total)
- 0
- Sheet size
- 4 × 8 ft
- Waste allowance
- 10 %
- Screws per sq ft
- 1
- Tape per 1,000 sq ft
- 370 ft
- Ready-mix compound per 1,000 sq ft
- 138 lb
Results
- Drywall sheets
- 14 sheets
- Board area
- 384 sq ft
- Screws
- 384
- Joint tape
- 142 ft
- Joint compound
- 53 lb
Assumptions and limits
- Single layer of board.
- Tape and compound rates are typical estimating figures, not product specifications.
Verify the result against the applicable local code, adopted code edition, manufacturer instructions and project requirements. See our methodology.
Questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 room?
The walls of a 12 × 12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings are 384 sq ft — 12 sheets of 4 × 8 before waste, 14 with 10% extra.
Should I use 4×8 or 4×12 sheets?
Longer sheets mean fewer joints to tape, but they are heavier and harder to carry through doors and stairs.