Solverly

Drywall / Sheetrock Calculator

Plan your project with confidence—this tool translates room measurements into an instant materials takeoff: estimated sheet count by board size, linear feet of tape, buckets of joint compound, and hardware. It’s handy when pricing a remodel, preparing a supply run, or double-checking a contractor’s bid so you don’t under-order panels or pay for excess.

The Drywall / Sheetrock Calculator lets you enter walls and ceilings, account for openings, pick board dimensions and orientation, and set a waste buffer to reflect real-world cuts. The goal is a clear, editable list you can act on—fewer trips to the store, tighter cost control, and a smoother installation plan. Add your room details below to see a complete, ready-to-buy materials summary.

Calculate drywall sheets, tape, mud, and screws for walls and ceilings — with waste, openings, and optional cost.

Enter room & material choices

Assumes 3×7 ft each.

Assumes 3×4 ft each.

Horizontal often reduces butt joints; vertical can suit tall walls and certain specs.

Optional cost inputs

Quick breakdown

Sheets (total)
16
Sheets (walls / ceiling)
11 / 5
Tape length (ft)
170
Compound (gal)
2.9
Screws (total)
870
Estimated cost
—

We subtract standard openings (3×7 ft doors, 3×4 ft windows). Adjust “Other openings” for niches, large windows, or built-ins. Increase waste for soffits, angles, and complex layouts.

Results interpretation

We estimate sheets from total area (walls and optionally ceiling) plus a waste buffer. Tape length comes from modeled seams based on wall orientation and a simple ceiling grid. Compound is computed from an adjustable coverage rate so we can tune for finish level and technique.

  • Sheet size: Longer sheets reduce butt joints but can be harder to handle.
  • Waste %: 10% is common; add more for odd angles, soffits, and lots of openings.
  • Ceiling: Many ceilings use 5/8″ for rigidity; include or exclude as needed.

How it works

Our math follows a transparent, contractor-style takeoff with adjustable assumptions.

Formulas, steps, assumptions, limitations

Areas: Wall area = 2×(L+W)×H minus openings; Ceiling area = L×W.

Sheets: Sheet area = 4×(sheet length). Sheets = ⌈(area×(1+waste%)) / sheet area⌉.

Seams (walls): We estimate horizontal seams from stacked courses and vertical seams from the sheet count per wall run. Vertical mode flips the logic.

Seams (ceiling): We approximate a simple grid: along the long side by sheet length and across the short side by 4 ft width.

Tape: Total tape = wall seams + (optional) inside/ceiling corners + ceiling seams.

Compound: Gallons = area_with_waste × (gal per 1000 ft²) ÷ 1000.

Screws: Screws = sheets × screws per sheet (walls vs ceiling separate).

Limits: Complex shapes, vaulted ceilings, stairs, soffits, and multi-room jobs need per-surface takeoffs. Always confirm on site.

Use cases & examples

Bedroom refresh

12×10×8 ft, 1 door, 1 window, 4×8 sheets, horizontal walls, 10% waste. We get a clean sheet count, ~250–400 ft of tape, and a compound estimate you can tune by finish level.

Basement ceiling only

Toggle off walls and leave ceiling on. Pick 4×12 sheets to reduce seams. Use ceiling screw count and bucket sizing to estimate labor kits.

Tall living room

10–12 ft walls? Try vertical orientation with 10 or 12 ft sheets to limit butt seams, then compare tape totals vs horizontal.

How to estimate drywall for a room

We measure the room, subtract openings, choose sheet size and orientation, add a waste buffer, and total tape, compound, and screws.

  1. Measure length, width, and height of the room (in feet).
  2. Count doors and windows, or enter the total openings area.
  3. Choose sheet length (8/10/12 ft), thickness (1/2″ or 5/8″), and wall orientation.
  4. Select waste % and whether to include the ceiling.
  5. Review sheets, tape, compound, screws, and optional cost.
Tools
  • Tape measure
  • Ladder
  • Drywall lift (optional)
Supplies
  • Drywall sheets
  • Joint tape and compound
  • Drywall screws

Tip: On long runs we orient sheets to minimize seams and stagger joints between rows. We usually round up sheet counts to cover offcuts and onsite surprises.

Drywall FAQs

Do we count by area or by sheets?

We start with area for speed, then use sheet size to translate that area into a practical sheet count with a waste buffer.

What if our doors or windows are not standard sizes?

Adjust the “Other openings” area to subtract additional cutouts or oversized windows.

How many screws per sheet are typical?

It varies by code and spacing. We provide editable defaults (walls vs ceiling) so you can match your fastening schedule.

How many tape rolls do we need?

We convert seam length to rolls using an adjustable roll length (250 ft by default).

How much compound should we buy?

Start with gallons per 1000 ft². Increase for high finish levels (Level 5) or heavy skim coats.

Does thickness change the math?

Thickness doesn’t change area, but it affects weight and often pricing. Many ceilings use 5/8″ for sag resistance.

Planning drywall: from measurements to materials that arrive once

We approach drywall takeoffs the way crews plan work: simple measurements, clear assumptions, and a buffer that reflects reality on site. The goal is fewer surprises and one delivery that keeps the job moving.

Measure the room

We record the longest usable length and width, and the most representative wall height. For alcoves and jogs, we break the space into rectangles and sum areas. If a wall bows or tapers, we favor the larger value so coverage stays safe.

Account for openings

Doors and windows remove area but also create extra joints to treat. We subtract typical door and window sizes by default, then let you add a custom openings area for niches or oversized frames.

Pick sheet length and orientation

Longer sheets reduce butt joints. Horizontal hanging is common for 8-foot walls; vertical can be efficient for taller spans or when fire/sound assemblies require it. Our orientation toggle helps you visualize seam tradeoffs.

Tape, compound, and screws

We translate seams into tape rolls and let you tune compound coverage (gallons per 1000 ft²). Screws scale with sheet count, split between wall and ceiling defaults so your fastener schedule stays realistic.

Costing the order

Add price per sheet, per tape roll, per bucket, and per screw box to see a clean materials total. For quotes that include delivery or lift time, keep a separate line to compare suppliers apples-to-apples.

Edge cases

Vaults, soffits, stair stringers, and multi-room runs deserve a surface-by-surface takeoff. Our page gets you close fast; detailed drawings finish the job.