Drywall is more than sheets: the finishing materials matter for the order too.
Sheets
Add up every wall and ceiling area, add 10 percent for cuts, 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.
Finishing materials
As rough guides, plan about one pound of drywall screws per 300 square feet, and roughly one gallon of joint compound per 100 to 200 square feet for taping and several coats. Tape runs close to the total length of your seams.
Round up
Round sheets up to whole boards and keep an offcut or two for patches.
Count your sheets. Drywall Calculator →
Common questions
How many sheets of drywall for 800 square feet?
With 10 percent waste, about 28 of the 4 by 8 sheets.
Should I use 4 by 8 or 4 by 12 sheets?
4 by 12 means fewer seams to finish but is heavier. 4 by 8 is easier for one person and tight spaces.
More Calculators
Concrete New
Enter slab dimensions. Result rounds up with a 7 percent waste allowance.
Gravel New
Enter the area dimensions and depth. Result rounds up with a 5 percent waste allowance.
Mulch New
Enter the bed area and depth. Result rounds up with a 5 percent allowance.
Topsoil New
Enter the area and depth. Result rounds up with a 5 percent allowance.
Paint New
Enter total wall area and coats. Result rounds up to whole units.
Flooring New
Enter room area and the coverage printed on the box. 10 percent waste added.
Tile New
Enter the area and one tile size. 10 percent waste added.
Drywall New
Enter total area to cover. 10 percent waste added.
Paver New
Enter the patio size and one paver size. 5 percent waste added.
Sand New
Enter the area and depth. 5 percent allowance added.
Roofing New
Enter the roof surface area. 10 percent waste added. Three bundles per square.
Insulation New
Enter area to cover and the coverage printed on the package. 5 percent added.
Fence New
Enter total fence length and post spacing.
Sod New
Enter the area to cover. 5 percent allowance added.
Grass Seed New
Enter area and seeding rate. Default rates suit a new lawn.
Fertilizer New
Enter area, target nitrogen rate and the first number on the bag.
Cubic Yards New
Enter length, width and depth. No waste added.
Square Footage New
Enter length and width.
Board Foot New
Enter board dimensions and quantity.
Material Cost New
Enter quantity, unit price, tax and delivery. Figures are in your own currency.