Drywall for a 16 × 16 ft room
With 8 ft ceilings, the walls are 512 ft² and the ceiling 256 ft². Sheet counts include 10% waste; supplies are rules of thumb.
| What you hang | Area | 4×8 sheets | 4×12 sheets | Joint compound | Joint tape |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walls only | 512 ft² | 18 | 12 | 5.1 gal | 189 ft |
| Walls and ceiling | 768 ft² | 27 | 18 | 7.7 gal | 284 ft |
| Ceiling only | 256 ft² | 9 | 6 | 2.6 gal | 95 ft |
Hanging tips
Hang the ceiling first, then the walls, running sheets horizontally. Stagger the joints, use about one screw per square foot, and tape and mud every seam in three coats. Use moisture-resistant board in bathrooms and fire-rated (5/8 in Type X) in garages and next to furnaces. See the drywall calculator to adjust for your ceilings.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Drywall Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 16x16 room?
27 sheets of 4 × 8 ft for the walls and ceiling with 8 ft ceilings and 10% waste, or 18 for the walls only. With 4 × 12 ft sheets it is 18 for both.
How much joint compound for a 16x16 room?
About 7.7 gallons for the walls and ceiling as a rule of thumb (1 gallon per 100 ft²), so one 4.5 gallon box is usually enough.
Do I subtract windows and doors for drywall?
Not usually. The cut-outs are offset by the waste allowance, and you need the offcuts for filling around openings.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.