Drywall Calculator

What the Drywall Calculator does

Drywall quantity starts with the area to cover: wall perimeter times height, plus the ceiling if included, minus doors and windows. Divide by the area of one sheet and add waste. Fasteners, tape and joint compound scale with the area, using rules of thumb you can adjust.

It also works as a drywall sheet calculator or a plasterboard calculator.

Formula

• Area = wall length × height + ceiling − openings
• Sheets = area × (1 + waste) ÷ sheet area
• Tape ≈ 0.37 ft per sq ft; compound per 1,000 sq ft as entered

Worked example

Using the starting values in the calculator above:

How to read the result

Longer sheets mean fewer joints to tape on tall or long walls, but they are heavier and harder to get into a house.

Ceilings are usually hung first with 5/8 inch board where sag or fire rating matters.

Quantities are estimates. Check product data sheets and local codes, and confirm with your supplier before ordering.

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