Drywall Calculator
Estimate drywall materials for any room with this free sheetrock calculator. Whether you call it a wallboard calculator or a drywall calculator, enter your room dimensions to get exact sheet count, screws, joint compound, and joint tape — with optional cost estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drywall sheets for a 12x12 room?
A 12 by 12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings needs approximately 16 sheets of 4x8 drywall for the walls, or 20 sheets if you include the ceiling.
How much joint compound per sheet of drywall?
Plan for about 0.1 gallons of joint compound per sheet — roughly 1 gallon for every 10 sheets installed.
What thickness drywall should I use — 1/2 vs 5/8 inch?
Use 1/2-inch drywall for most interior walls and ceilings. Use 5/8-inch Type X for fire-rated assemblies, garage walls, and ceilings with 24-inch joist spacing.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
Use approximately 32 screws per 4x8 sheet — screws every 8 inches along studs in the field and every 6 inches at edges.
How much does it cost to drywall a room?
Drywall sheets cost $12 to $20 each. A 12 by 12 room with walls and ceiling typically runs $400 to $900 in materials. Installed cost with labor is $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.