Drywall Calculator: Sheets, Mud, Tape & Screws
Enter wall and ceiling square footage (don't subtract small openings, since cutouts are mostly waste anyway). You'll get sheets plus the finishing materials people forget until the second trip to the store.
Quantities used
| Material | Rate used | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Joint compound | ≈138 lb per 1,000 sq ft | USG estimate for ready-mixed all-purpose compound |
| Paper tape | ≈370 ft per 1,000 sq ft | USG estimate |
| Screws | ≈32 per sheet (walls), 40 (ceilings) | 16 in o.c. framing, 12 in/8 in spacing |
| Waste | 10% (15% for many corners) | Industry rule of thumb |
Room-size table (8 ft walls + ceiling, 10% waste)
| Room | Total sq ft | 4x8 sheets | 4x12 sheets | Mud pails | Tape rolls | Screws |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 420 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 512 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 528 | 19 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 648 |
| 12 × 14 ft | 584 | 21 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 720 |
| 14 × 16 ft | 704 | 25 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 864 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 1,040 | 36 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 1,264 |
Practical notes
- Use ½ in board for walls and ⅝ in (or ½ in sag-resistant) for ceilings. Use ⅝ in Type X where code requires fire-rated assemblies, such as garage-to-house walls, and moisture-resistant board in baths.
- Longer 4x12 sheets mean fewer butt joints and less taping, but they're a two-person lift.
- Lightweight compound is easier to sand. Setting-type ("hot mud") is best for the first coat on corners and big gaps.
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 room?
Walls (8 ft) are 384 sq ft and the ceiling is 144 sq ft. With 10% waste that's 19 sheets of 4×8 or 13 sheets of 4×12.
How much joint compound per sheet of drywall?
About 4.4 lb per 4×8 sheet (USG's ≈138 lb per 1,000 sq ft), so one 4.5 gal pail finishes roughly 14 sheets.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
About 28–32 on walls and up to 40 on ceilings, depending on framing spacing and fastening pattern.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Jim Frith. These are planning estimates; confirm quantities with your supplier and follow local codes.