Drywall Calculator
Enter the wall or ceiling area and pick the sheet size to get the number of drywall sheets to buy — with a waste allowance and a rough screw count. A new partition wall gets drywall on both sides.
Your numbers
Result
- Area to coversq ft
- 220
- Screws (approx.)
- 224
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Area to cover | 220 sq ft |
| Sheets | 7 |
| Screws (approx.) | 224 |
How many sheets you need
Multiply the area by the number of sides (a new wall is 2; a ceiling or existing wall is 1), add waste, then divide by the sheet coverage: a 4 × 8 sheet is 32 sq ft, a 4 × 12 is 48 sq ft. For 200 sq ft on one side with 10% waste, that's 220 ÷ 32 ≈ 7 sheets.
Fasteners, mud and tape
Plan on roughly 32 screws per 4 × 8 sheet (spaced ~12 in on the studs). You will also need joint compound ("mud") and tape for the seams — a full three-coat finish uses about a gallon of compound per 100–150 sq ft. Larger 4 × 12 sheets mean fewer butt joints to tape.
Pick the right board
Standard white board suits dry rooms. Use moisture-resistant ("green board") in bathrooms and kitchens, cement board behind tile in wet areas, and fire-rated ("Type X") where code requires it — garages and attached walls. Matching the board to the room avoids mold and code problems.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- Drywall coverage (4x8 = 32 sq ft, 4x12 = 48 sq ft)
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