How Much Does It Cost to Drywall a Room? (2026)
Updated
Drywall installation costs about $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of surface area, including hanging, taping, and finishing. A standard 12×12 ft room costs roughly $900 to $2,000, depending on ceiling height, finish level, and local labor rates.
Drywall (also called sheetrock or gypsum board) is what turns bare studs into finished walls and ceilings. Whether you're finishing a basement, adding a room, or repairing water damage, knowing the cost up front helps you budget and compare contractor quotes with confidence.
This guide covers what drywall costs per square foot and per room in 2026, what's included in a typical quote, and how to estimate the number of sheets and the price for your own space.
Key takeaways
- Installed drywall costs about $1.50–$3.50 per square foot of wall and ceiling.
- A standard 12×12 ft room runs roughly $900–$2,000 hung and finished.
- Material alone (the board) is only $12–$18 per 4×8 sheet — labor is most of the cost.
- Finish level (taping quality) and ceiling height swing the price the most.
- Always add about 10% extra for waste and cuts.
Skip the math
Get instant numbers with the Drywall Calculator.
Drywall cost per square foot
Drywall is usually priced by the square foot of surface area — that means walls plus the ceiling if you're covering it. The installed price includes hanging the board, taping the seams, applying joint compound, and sanding to a smooth finish.
| Service | Cost per ft² | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Hang only | $0.50 – $1.00 | Board fastened to studs |
| Hang + finish | $1.50 – $3.50 | Taped, mudded, sanded |
| Materials only | $0.40 – $0.60 | Board, mud, tape, screws |
Cost to drywall a room by size
To estimate a full room, calculate the wall area (perimeter × ceiling height) plus the ceiling, then multiply by the installed rate. The table below assumes 8-foot ceilings and includes both walls and ceiling.
| Room size | Approx. surface area | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | ~420 ft² | $630 – $1,470 |
| 12 × 12 ft | ~528 ft² | $790 – $1,850 |
| 14 × 16 ft | ~704 ft² | $1,060 – $2,460 |
| Basement (600 ft² floor) | ~1,800 ft² | $2,700 – $6,300 |
What affects drywall cost
- Finish level — a smooth 'Level 5' finish for paint costs more than a basic taped finish.
- Ceiling height — 9 or 10 ft walls and high ceilings add area and scaffolding.
- Ceilings — overhead work is slower and pricier than walls.
- Type of board — moisture-resistant or fire-rated board costs more.
- Repairs vs new — patching existing walls can cost more per foot than new work.
- Local labor rates — the biggest regional swing.
How many sheets of drywall do you need?
Drywall comes in 4×8 (32 ft²), 4×10 (40 ft²), and 4×12 (48 ft²) sheets. To find how many you need, add your wall and ceiling area, add about 10% for waste, and divide by the sheet size. Larger sheets mean fewer seams to tape but are heavier to handle.
Our drywall calculator does this automatically — enter the room dimensions and it returns the number of sheets plus the joint compound, tape, and screws you'll need.
DIY vs hiring a pro
Hanging drywall yourself can cut the cost roughly in half, since labor is most of the price. But taping and finishing to a paint-ready smoothness is a skill — poor seams show through paint and are hard to fix later. Many DIYers hang the board themselves and hire out the finishing.
Ways to save on drywall
- Hang the board yourself and pay a pro only for finishing.
- Use larger 4×12 sheets to reduce seams and labor.
- Get multiple quotes — finishing labor varies a lot.
- Buy materials yourself if your contractor allows it.
- Bundle several rooms into one job for a better rate.