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Drywall calculator

Estimate drywall sheets, screws, tape, joint compound, material cost, labor range, and a basic supply list.

Reviewed · May 9, 2026

Home Project Estimates

Drywall calculator

May 9, 2026

12 ft by 14 ft room, 8 ft walls.

Drywall sheets
15 sheets
4x8 sheets, 10% waste
Area
416 sq ft
Walls only
Compound
2.0 gal
1 tape roll
DIY material total
$245–$485
Sheets, screws, tape, compound allowance
Labor range
$437–$1,165
Directional hang and finish labor
Contractor total
$682–$1,650
Materials plus labor

Shopping list

  • 4x8 drywall sheets15 ea
  • Drywall screws480 ea
  • Joint tape1 roll
  • Joint compound2.0 gal

Assumptions

  • 10% waste buffer
  • 32 screws per sheet
  • Openings are not deducted for a conservative planning estimate
  • U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing

Planning estimate only. Not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.

Project inputs
U.S. near average
Units
ft
ft
ft
%
Estimated result

12 ft by 14 ft room, 8 ft walls.

Drywall sheets
15 sheets
4x8 sheets, 10% waste
Area
416 sq ft
Walls only
Compound
2.0 gal
1 tape roll
DIY material total
$245–$485
Sheets, screws, tape, compound allowance
Labor range
$437–$1,165
Directional hang and finish labor
Contractor total
$682–$1,650
Materials plus labor
Fire-rated, moisture-resistant, or soundproof drywall changes material cost.

Shopping list

  • 4x8 drywall sheets15 ea
  • Drywall screws480 ea
  • Joint tape1 roll
  • Joint compound2.0 gal

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Assumptions in this estimate

  • 10% waste buffer
  • 32 screws per sheet
  • Openings are not deducted for a conservative planning estimate
  • U.S. near average; pricing data: U.S. near average pricing

Saved estimates

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How this is calculated

  • Wall area is 2 x (length + width) x height.
  • Ceiling area is added when selected.
  • Sheets are rounded up after waste is added.

Assumption register

Item Low Typical High Source
Sheet sizes 4x8 4x10 4x12 Homewyse drywall installation cost calculator
Checked 2026-05-10 · high confidence
Waste buffer 5 10 15 Homewyse drywall installation cost calculator
Checked 2026-05-10 · medium confidence

Last reviewed: May 9, 2026. These values are planning defaults, not live prices.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting ceiling area.
  • Buying sheets without tape, screws, compound, and corner bead.
  • Ignoring moisture-resistant, fire-rated, or soundproof drywall needs.

FAQ

Should openings be deducted?

For early planning, small openings can be ignored for a conservative sheet count.

Which sheet size should you choose?

4 x 8 sheets are easier to handle. Larger sheets can reduce seams.

Does this include finishing levels?

No. Finish level and texture change labor cost.

Limitations

This calculator gives a rough material count. It does not account for fire-rated assemblies, moisture zones, sound assemblies, or finish levels.

This estimate is for planning only. It is not a contractor quote, engineering advice, or permit review.

Next step

Measure once more, compare the result with a real quote or shopping cart, and review the assumptions before buying materials.

Read the DIY vs contractor guide for this project

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