Drywall Calculator
How many sheets of drywall you need
Hanging drywall? Enter the total wall and ceiling area to find how many 4×8 or 4×12 sheets to buy, with waste for cuts.
How many sheets of drywall?
A 4×8 sheet covers 32 ft²; a 4×12 covers 48 ft². Larger sheets mean fewer seams to tape. Add ~10% for cuts around windows, doors and outlets.
Which thickness and type
Use ½ inch for most walls and ceilings; ⅝ inch "Type X" is fire-rated and required in garages and many ceilings. Choose moisture- or mold-resistant board for bathrooms, and cement board directly behind shower tile. Heavier ⅝-inch board also resists sagging on ceilings with widely spaced framing.
Budget for mud, tape and screws
Hanging is only half the job. Plan on joint compound ("mud"), drywall tape and screws — a rough guide is one box of screws and a few gallons of mud per dozen sheets, plus tape for every seam. Larger 4×12 sheets cut taping time by reducing the number of butt joints.
Drywall Calculator: frequently asked questions
How many square feet is a sheet of drywall?
A 4×8 sheet is 32 ft²; a 4×10 is 40 ft²; a 4×12 is 48 ft².
Should I use 4x8 or 4x12 drywall?
4×12 sheets create fewer seams (less taping) but are heavier and harder to handle in tight spaces.
What thickness of drywall should I use?
½ inch is standard for walls and ceilings; ⅝-inch fire-rated (Type X) is required in attached garages and many ceilings; moisture-resistant board belongs in bathrooms. Use cement board, not drywall, directly behind shower tile.