Interior and Finishing

Drywall Calculator

How many sheets of drywall you need, from your total wall and ceiling area, with a waste allowance.

Drywall sheets

Enter total area to cover. 10 percent waste added.

sq ft
4x8 sheets
-
4x12 sheets
-
sheets = (area × 1.10) ÷ sheet area; 4x8 = 32 sq ft, 4x12 = 48 sq ft
Sheets (1.2 x 2.4 m)
-
sheets = (area × 1.10) ÷ 2.88 m² per 1.2 by 2.4 m sheet
Estimate only. Rounded up with a 10 percent waste allowance. Confirm the final quantity with your supplier before ordering.

How the drywall estimate works

Add up every wall and ceiling you are covering, add 10 percent for cuts and offcuts, then divide by the sheet area. A 4 by 8 sheet is 32 square feet, a 4 by 12 is 48. Larger sheets mean fewer seams to tape but are harder to handle alone. You will also need joint compound, tape and screws, roughly one pound of screws per 300 square feet and one gallon of compound per 100 to 200 square feet for taping, depending on coats.

Hanging board? A drywall screw gun with a depth setting drives screws to the right depth without breaking the paper.

View on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Common questions

How many sheets of drywall do I need for 800 square feet?

With 10 percent waste that is 880 square feet. Using 4 by 8 sheets at 32 square feet each, you need 28 sheets.

Should I use 4 by 8 or 4 by 12 sheets?

4 by 12 sheets create fewer seams to finish but weigh more and are harder to handle solo. 4 by 8 are easier for one person and tight spaces.
Knowledge Base

Estimating Guides & Reference

Plain-language guides on measuring, coverage and how much extra to buy, written for DIYers and trades.

Measuring & Estimating
Concrete & Aggregate
Soil & Lawn
Interior & Finishing