How Much Drywall Do I Need?
Updated
To calculate drywall, find the total wall area (perimeter × height) plus the ceiling if covering it, add 10% for waste, and divide by the sheet size (32 sq ft for a 4×8 sheet). A 14×12 ft room with 8 ft walls and a ceiling needs about 21 sheets.
Skip the math
Get instant numbers with the Drywall Calculator.
Sheet sizes
- 4×8 ft = 32 ft² (easiest to handle)
- 4×10 ft = 40 ft² (fewer seams)
- 4×12 ft = 48 ft² (fewest seams, heaviest)
Finishing supplies
Budget about 0.053 lb of joint compound and 0.39 ft of tape per square foot of drywall, plus roughly one screw per square foot.