Drywall Calculator
How many 4×8 or 4×12 panels to buy after waste. Click any i for detail.
Takeoff
Area (sq ft)
i
Area
Walls plus ceilings, minus big openings if you want a tighter count. |
|
|---|---|
Sheet size (sq ft)
i
Sheet
4×8 = 32; 4×10 = 40; 4×12 = 48. |
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Waste (%)
i
Waste
Cuts, scraps, and mistakes. 10% is a common residential adder. |
How to use this calculator
- Estimate wall and ceiling square footage.
- Pick 32 for 4×8 sheets unless you hang 12-footers.
- Add waste, then round up to whole sheets.
- Count moisture/fire-rated boards separately.
Results explained
Sheets = ceil( area × (1 + waste%) ÷ sheet area ). Distinct from drywall *installation cost*, which prices labor.
Quick reference: sheets
A 12×12 room with 8-ft walls (no ceiling) is roughly 384 sq ft of wall.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 4×8 sheet | 32 sq ft |
| 4×12 sheet | 48 sq ft |
| 10% waste | Typical for rooms with openings |
| Ceiling vs wall | Add ceiling area into the total |
For hanging dollars see drywall installation cost.
How the estimate is built
Sheets = (sq ft × (1 + waste%)) ÷ sq ft per sheet, rounded up.
Example scenario
320 sq ft, 10% waste, 4×8 sheets → 352 / 32 = 11, buy 11 sheets.
FAQ
Do I subtract doors?
For a tighter takeoff, yes. Or leave them in and keep waste lower.
Joint compound?
Not on this page — it’s a sheet count.
Labor?
See drywall installation cost.