Drywall Calculator
≈ 20 sq ft each
≈ 15 sq ft each
How It Works
Drywall Thickness Guide
Tips
- Buy 10% extra to account for cuts and waste. For rooms with many angles or cutouts, use 15%.
- Hang sheets horizontally on walls (long edge parallel to floor) to minimize the number of seams and reduce butt joints, which are harder to finish.
- Pre-mixed joint compound is easier to use. Buy a 5-gallon bucket rather than smaller containers for most rooms — it's significantly cheaper per gallon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size drywall sheet should I use?
4×8 ft (48" × 96") is the standard and most common. Taller 4×12 sheets are used where ceilings are higher than 9 feet and can reduce butt joints. Use 4×8 for calculations in most rooms; this calculator assumes 4×8 (32 sq ft per sheet).
What thickness of drywall do I need?
1/2 inch is the standard for walls and ceilings in residential construction. 5/8 inch is used for fire-rated assemblies and garage ceilings. 3/8 inch is used for curved surfaces and over existing surfaces. 1/4 inch is only for double-layering over existing drywall.
How many screws do I need per sheet?
On walls: one screw every 16 inches along studs, roughly 32 screws per 4×8 sheet. On ceilings: one screw every 12 inches, roughly 48 screws per sheet. Screws are sold in 1-lb and 5-lb boxes — a 1-lb box holds roughly 200 screws (#6 coarse thread).
How much joint compound do I need?
As a rule of thumb, plan for about 0.5–1 gallon of pre-mixed joint compound per 100 sq ft of drywall. A 5-gallon bucket (approximately 62 lbs) covers about 500 sq ft. Three coats are typically applied: taping coat, filler coat, and finish coat.