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Drywall Calculator

Sheets, joint compound, tape, screws, and corner bead for any room or whole-home project.

You'll need
19 sheets · 586 sq ft
Cost
$324–$456
Project details
Rooms

Bay windows, doorways without trim

Walls: 416 sq ft, +168 ceilingNet: 533 sq ft
Total area (with 10% waste)586 sq ft · 19 sheets
Drywall type
Standard 1/2" — Most common. Use for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways.

Optional override

Finish level
Standard for flat / eggshell paint
Site & labor

Cost breakdown

All materials and labor (if selected).
Standard 1/2" · 19 sheets × $14/sheet$228 – $304
Joint compound · 6 × 5-gal buckets$72 – $108
Drywall tape · 2 rolls (283 lf)$8 – $16
Drywall screws · 587 (2 × 1 lb boxes)$16 – $28
Total project cost$324 – $456

Shopping list

Everything you need for this project.
  • Standard 1/2" (4×8)19 sheets
  • All-purpose joint compound (5 gal)6 buckets
  • Paper drywall tape (250' rolls)2
  • Drywall screws (1-5/8")2 × 1 lb boxes
  • 6" & 12" drywall knives1 set
  • Mud pan / hawk1
  • Drywall T-square (4 ft)1
  • Utility knife & extra blades1 set
  • Pole sander or sanding sponge1
  • Drywall lift (rental, for ceilings)1 day rental
  • Dust mask, eye protection1 set
  • Plastic sheeting & tape (containment)1 set
Ready to hang?
Pick up sheets and supplies at Home Depot or Lowe's. Both deliver large orders.
Shop now →

How to use this calculator

Enter each room's dimensions (length × width × height) and toggle whether you want to drywall the ceiling. Pick door and window sizes — each opening reduces the area you need to cover. Choose a sheet size (4×8 is standard) and drywall type (regular, moisture-resistant for bathrooms, fire-rated for garages, soundproof for media rooms).

The calculator gives you an exact sheet count plus all the supplies: joint compound, tape, screws, and corner bead. The shopping list is everything you need to walk into the home store and check out.

Pro tips

Use the right type for the room.Bathrooms and laundry rooms: moisture-resistant (green or purple board). Garages and rooms next to occupied space: fire-rated (Type X 5/8"). Media rooms: soundproof (QuietRock). Standard 1/2" everywhere else.

4×12 sheets reduce seams.Bigger sheets mean fewer butt joints (the hard ones to finish). For tall walls (9'+) and ceilings, 4×12 is worth it even though they're heavier. For DIY 8' ceilings, stick with 4×8.

Level 4 vs Level 5 finish. Level 4 is standard — fine under flat or eggshell paint. Level 5 (skim coat) is needed under glossy paint, raking light, or large flat walls. Skip Level 5 unless you really need it; it doubles the finishing time.

Hire pros for whole-house jobs. Hanging is doable DIY. Mudding/taping is where DIY projects fail — getting smooth finish takes practice and time. Consider DIY hang, pro tape and finish.

Frequently asked questions

How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 room?▾
Walls only (8' ceiling): about 12 sheets of 4×8. Walls + ceiling: about 17 sheets. Subtract a sheet or two for typical doors and windows. The calculator does the exact math for your room.
What's the difference between drywall and sheetrock?▾
'Sheetrock' is just a brand name (made by USG). Drywall, gypsum board, wallboard, and sheetrock all refer to the same product: gypsum core sandwiched between paper. They're used interchangeably.
Should I use 1/2" or 5/8" drywall?▾
1/2" is standard for walls. Use 5/8" for ceilings (less sag) and where fire-rating is required (garages, multi-family). Some codes require 5/8" for ceilings on 24" framing centers.
How much joint compound do I need?▾
Roughly 0.05 gallons per square foot of drywall. A 5-gallon bucket covers about 100 sheets of 4×8. The calculator gives an exact number based on your sheet count.
Can I install drywall myself?▾
Hanging is doable for one person on small rooms (or two for ceilings — drywall is heavy). Taping and mudding to a Level 4 paint-ready finish is the hard part — expect a steep learning curve. Many DIY-ers hang the drywall themselves and hire a finisher for the mud work.
How thick should ceiling drywall be?▾
5/8" is preferred to prevent sag, especially with 24" on-center framing. Some codes require 5/8" for ceilings. 1/2" is acceptable for 16" on-center framing in most cases. Use lightweight 1/2" if 5/8" is too heavy.
How long does drywall take to install?▾
Hanging: 1 sheet per 5–15 minutes for an experienced installer. Taping & mudding: 3 coats over 3 days (24-hour cure time between coats). Sanding: 1 day. Total for a typical room: about a week from raw studs to paint-ready.
Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual drywall quantities and costs vary based on room geometry, code requirements, and local pricing. Buy 5–10% extra to account for cuts and damage.