How to Hang Drywall
Learn how to hang drywall step by step, with the tools, materials, and a free calculator to estimate exactly what you need. 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. A 14×12 ft room with 8 ft walls and a ceiling needs about 21 sheets of 4×8 drywall, costing roughly $880–$2,050 hung and finished.
Get exact numbers
Use the free Drywall Calculator to estimate your project.
Step-by-step
- 1
Calculate wall area
Add all wall lengths (perimeter) and multiply by the wall height.
- 2
Add the ceiling
If drywalling the ceiling, add length × width.
- 3
Add 10% waste
Account for cuts around windows, doors, and outlets.
- 4
Divide by sheet size
A 4×8 sheet covers 32 ft²; larger sheets mean fewer seams.
Pro tips
- Avoid: forgetting the ceiling — If you're drywalling the ceiling too, add its area (length × width) — it's easy to leave out and come up short.
- Avoid: no waste allowance — Cutouts for windows, doors, and outlets create scrap. Add at least 10% so you're not short a sheet.
- Avoid: underestimating finishing supplies — Joint compound, tape, and screws add up. Budget about one 5-gallon bucket of mud per 12 sheets.
- Avoid: choosing the wrong thickness — Use 5/8 inch for ceilings and fire-rated walls; 1/2 inch is standard elsewhere. Moisture-prone areas need water-resistant board.