Drywall Calculator (Sheets of Plasterboard)
Enter the room size, ceiling height and openings.
Your numbers
%
Your results
Sheets needed
Sheets needed
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Area to cover (sq ft)
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Wall area (sq ft)
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Drywall screws (about 32 per sheet)
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Drywall Calculator (Sheets of Plasterboard) by TheCalcTools
How the Drywall Calculator (Sheets of Plasterboard) works
Wall area = perimeter × height; add the ceiling if you are boarding it, then subtract openings. Divide by the sheet area and add 10% to 15% for cuts and waste.
Longer sheets mean fewer joints to tape. Moisture-resistant board is used in bathrooms, fire-rated board where code requires it.
The formula
Sheets = (walls + ceiling − openings) × (1 + waste) ÷ sheet area
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Room length (ft) | 14 |
|---|---|
| Room width (ft) | 12 |
| Ceiling height (ft) | 8 |
| Include the ceiling? | Yes |
| Doors (about 21 sq ft each) | 1 |
| Windows (about 15 sq ft each) | 2 |
| Sheet size | 4 × 8 ft (32 sq ft) |
| Waste | 10 % |
- Walls 416 sq ft plus the ceiling, minus openings: 533 sq ft.
- That is 19 sheets of 4 × 8.
Result:
| Sheets needed | 19 |
|---|---|
| Area to cover (sq ft) | 533 |
| Wall area (sq ft) | 416 |
| Drywall screws (about 32 per sheet) | 608 |
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets for a 12 × 14 room?
About 19 sheets of 4 × 8 for walls and ceiling with 10% waste, after a door and two windows.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.