Drywall Calculator
Sheets, screws, joint compound, and tape for walls and ceilings. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
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Planning estimate using standard formulas and 2026 national average prices — confirm quantities with your supplier and get local quotes.
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How this calculator works
Sheet count = area ÷ sheet size, plus 10% waste, rounded up. Fasteners use the rule of one screw per square foot (32 per 4×8 sheet at 16" o.c. framing). Joint compound runs about 0.053 lb per sq ft (a 4.5-gal bucket of all-purpose mud handles roughly 450–500 sq ft) and tape about 0.37 linear ft per sq ft of board.
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 room?
About 12–13 4×8 sheets for walls (≈384 sq ft) and 5 more for the ceiling (144 sq ft) — 18 sheets with waste. Our calculator does this from your total square footage.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
About 32 screws for a 4×8 sheet on 16-inch framing — one per square foot is the planning rule. A 1-lb box of coarse-thread screws (~200) handles about 6 sheets.
How much joint compound do I need?
Roughly one 4.5-gallon bucket (61.7 lb) of all-purpose compound per 450–500 sq ft of drywall for a full tape-and-three-coat finish. Buy pre-mixed for patches; consider setting-type powder for the tape coat on big jobs.
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