How Many Sheets of Drywall Do I Need? Screws and Joint Compound
Part of the project planner: Planning to frame and finish a wall.
A 12 × 12 ft room with 8 ft walls and a ceiling needs 19 sheets of 4 × 8 ft drywall with 10% waste, about 608 screws, 195 ft of joint tape and 5.3 gallons of joint compound. The drywall calculator works it out for your own room, with or without the ceiling, and for any sheet size.
Sheets for common rooms
With 10% waste, in 4 × 8 ft sheets (32 sq ft):
| Room | Walls only | Sheets | Walls and ceiling | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 320 sq ft | 11 | 420 sq ft | 15 |
| 12 × 12 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 384 sq ft | 14 | 528 sq ft | 19 |
| 12 × 14 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 416 sq ft | 15 | 584 sq ft | 21 |
| 14 × 16 ft, 8 ft ceiling | 480 sq ft | 17 | 704 sq ft | 25 |
| 16 × 20 ft, 9 ft ceiling | 648 sq ft | 23 | 968 sq ft | 34 |
Sheet sizes
For the 12 × 12 ft room, walls and ceiling:
| Sheet | Area | Sheets needed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 19 |
| 4 × 9 ft | 36 sq ft | 17 |
| 4 × 12 ft | 48 sq ft | 13 |
Finishing supplies
- Screws: about one for each square foot of board: 608 for this room.
- Joint tape: about 195 ft, which is 1 roll of 250 ft.
- Joint compound (mud): about 1 gallon for every 100 sq ft: 5.3 gallons, or 2 boxes of 4.5 gallons. Plan for three coats.
- Corner bead for the outside corners, and a primer before you paint.
How to hang drywall
- Hang the ceiling first, then the walls. Use a drywall lift for the ceiling, or a helper with a T-brace.
- Hang the sheets horizontally on walls, so there are fewer joints, and stagger the end joints.
- Screw into the studs or joists every 12 to 16 inches, just below the paper surface. Do not break the paper.
- Leave a small gap at the floor, and cut around outlets and windows after the sheet is in place.
- Tape the joints, apply three thin coats of compound, sand between coats, and prime.
For the whole job see the drywall room materials calculator, the materials list for hanging drywall and the stud calculator for the framing. Estimates only: confirm the quantities with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall do I need for a room?
Add the area of the walls and the ceiling, add 10% for waste, and divide by 32 square feet per 4 × 8 sheet. A 12 × 12 ft room with 8 ft walls and the ceiling is 528 sq ft, which is 19 sheets.
How many screws per sheet of drywall?
About 32 screws for a 4 × 8 sheet, or one for each square foot: 608 for the 19 sheets. Space them 12 to 16 inches apart on the studs.
How much joint compound do I need?
About 1 gallon for every 100 square feet of board, so 5.3 gallons for this room, which is 2 boxes of 4.5 gallons. Plan for three coats.
Should I use 4x8 or 4x12 drywall?
Longer sheets (4 × 12 ft) need fewer joints on a wall or ceiling, but are heavy and hard to carry. 4 × 8 ft sheets are the easiest to handle.
What thickness of drywall should I use?
1/2 inch is standard for walls and ceilings. 5/8 inch gives a stiffer ceiling and a better fire rating, and 1/4 inch is used over an old wall.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.