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Drywall Calculator

Enter the room and pick your sheet size. This returns sheets, screws, tape and how many buckets of compound the job takes — the three materials people run out of on a Sunday.

Your numbers

Result

Drywall sheets
21
sheets
Joint compound4.5 gal, ~400 sq ft each
2buckets
Joint tape
240linear ft
Screws~32 per sheet
672screws
Screws by weight
2.1lb
Net area to cover
600sq ft
Area incl. waste
660sq ft
Gross area
640sq ft

How this is calculated

  • Wall area = 2 × (length + width) × ceiling height.
  • Ceiling area = length × width, if you are boarding it.
  • Net = gross − doors and windows, then × (1 + waste %).
  • Sheets = area ÷ sheet size, rounded up.
  • Tape ≈ 0.4 linear feet per square foot of board. Compound ≈ one 4.5 gallon bucket per 400 sq ft for three coats.

Before you order

  • Longer sheets mean fewer butt joints, and butt joints are the ones that show. If 12 ft sheets will fit through the door and up the stairs, use them.
  • Ceilings want 5/8 in board on 24 in centres or they sag. 1/2 in is for walls.
  • Compound is three coats plus sanding, and the estimate above assumes that. A level 5 finish for gloss paint or raking light needs materially more.
  • Moisture-resistant or cement board is required behind tile in wet areas and is not interchangeable with regular board.

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