Recommended: 10% for standard rooms, 15% for complex shapes.
Project Totals
Includes waste factor
Total Sheets0panels needed
Joint Compound0buckets (4.5 gal)
Joint Tape0rolls (500ft)
Screws0lbs (approx)
Renovating a room is exciting, but hauling 50-pound sheets of gypsum board back to the store because you bought too many (or worse, running out halfway through the job) is a headache you don’t need.
We built this Drywall Calculator to bridge the gap between rough guesses and a professional material list.
Whether you are finishing a basement, putting up a partition wall, or redoing a ceiling, this tool provides an instant estimate for everything you need—from the panels down to the pound of screws.
How to Use This Drywall Calculator
Enter Wall Surface Area: Measure the total width of all walls and multiply by the ceiling height (e.g., a 10ft wide wall that is 8ft high = 80 sq. ft). Enter the total for the room.
Note: For a safety buffer, most pros do not subtract the area for windows and doors unless they are very large (like patio doors).
Enter Ceiling Surface Area: If you are drywalling the ceiling, enter the square footage here. If not, you can leave this blank or enter 0.
Select Sheet Size: Choose the size of the drywall sheets you intend to buy.
4′ x 8′: The industry standard. easiest to transport and handle.
4′ x 12′: Best for large rooms to minimize butt joints (seams).
Adjust Waste Factor: Use the slider to add a safety margin.
10%: Recommended for standard rectangular rooms.
15%+: Recommended for rooms with vaulted ceilings, many corners, or complex architectural features.
Calculate: Click the button to see your total requirements for sheets, buckets of mud, rolls of tape, and screws.
Important Notes & Limitations
Estimates Only: This calculator provides a mathematical estimate based on total square footage. It does not account for specific layout constraints, “off-cuts” that are too small to reuse, or specific framing spacing (16″ vs 24″ on center).
Joint Compound: The “buckets” calculation assumes standard 4.5-gallon buckets of pre-mixed all-purpose compound. If you are using “hot mud” (setting type powder), you will need to convert this volume.
Tape & Screws: Consumable estimates are averages. If you are an inexperienced taper, you may use more mud and tape than a professional.
💡 Pro Decor Tip: Hate sanding? Minimized seams. When choosing your Drywall Sheet Size, always try to use the longest sheet that you can physically get into the room. If a wall is 12 feet long, using a single 12-foot sheet horizontally eliminates a difficult vertical seam that would occur if you used two 8-foot sheets. Fewer seams mean less taping, less sanding, and a smoother final paint job!
