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Drywall Sheet Calculator

Calculates drywall sheets, tape, and joint compound needed for walls and ceilings. Supports 4x8, 4x10, and 4x12 sheets.

Results

Sheets Needed
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Total Sq Ft
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Tape (rolls)
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Joint Compound
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gallons (3 coats)

Material Order List

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How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter room dimensions. Measure the room length, width, and wall height. The calculator handles a standard rectangular room with 4 walls.

2. Select sheet size. Use 4x8 for standard 8-foot walls. Use 4x12 for 9 or 10-foot ceilings to minimize horizontal seams.

3. Include or exclude ceiling. Select whether you are drywalling the ceiling in addition to the walls.

How the Formula Works

Wall_SqFt = 2 x (Length x Height) + 2 x (Width x Height)

Ceiling_SqFt = Length x Width

Sheets = Total_SqFt / Sheet_SqFt x Waste_Factor

Joint_Compound_gal = Total_SqFt / 100 x 0.9

Tape is estimated based on total seam length. Each sheet creates approximately 12 linear feet of seam. Standard tape rolls are 500 feet. Joint compound follows the industry rule of 0.9 gallons per 100 square feet for three coats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sheets of drywall do I need?
Calculate the total square footage of walls and ceiling, then divide by the sheet size (32 sqft for 4x8). Round up and add 10% for waste.
How much joint compound do I need?
The rule of thumb is 0.9 gallons of joint compound per 100 square feet of drywall for three coats (tape, fill, and finish).
What size drywall should I use?
Use 4x8 sheets for standard 8-foot walls. Use 4x12 sheets for taller walls to eliminate horizontal seams. For ceilings, longer sheets reduce joints.

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