Drywall Calculator: Sheets, Screws & Mud

Estimate drywall sheets for walls and ceilings, plus approximate screws and joint compound.

✓ Formula shown✓ No signupUpdated 2026-10-22
Before you buy

Most people under-order. Add the waste allowance shown above, and buy one extra bag or box for touch-ups. Compare current prices for drywall:

Shop drywall →

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change our numbers.

Worked examples
RoomAreaSheets
40 ft perimeter, 8 ft, ceiling 0320 sq ft11 × 4×8 sheets
48 ft perimeter, 8 ft, ceiling 144528 sq ft19 × 4×8 sheets
60 ft perimeter, 9 ft, ceiling 225765 sq ft27 × 4×8 sheets
How the calculation works (sources & assumptions)

Sheets = (wall area + ceiling) ÷ sheet area × (1 + waste). Rules of thumb vary; this calculator uses about 1 screw per sq ft and about 0.053 lb of ready-mix compound per sq ft (≈ 9 gal per 1,000 sq ft).

FAQ

How many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 room?

Walls (8 ft) plus ceiling is 528 sq ft, about 19 sheets of 4×8 with 10% waste.

4x8 or 4x12?

4×12 means fewer seams; 4×8 is easier to carry and hang alone.

Other calculators