Calculate how many drywall sheets you need for walls and ceilings. Includes estimates for joint compound, tape, and screws.
Step 1: Calculate total wall area. Wall area = 2 x (Length + Width) x Height
Step 2: Add ceiling area if needed. Ceiling area = Length x Width
Step 3: Subtract openings. Standard door = ~21 sq ft. Standard window = ~15 sq ft.
Step 4: Divide by sheet size. Standard 4x8 sheet = 32 sq ft. Sheets = Total area / Sheet area
Step 5: Add 10-15% for waste from cutting and fitting around outlets, corners, and irregular areas.
Joint compound: Plan for approximately 0.053 gallons (or about 3.7 lbs) per sq ft of drywall. One 5-gallon bucket covers about 100 sheets.
Drywall tape: Approximately 370 ft of tape per 1,000 sq ft of drywall.
Drywall screws: About 28-32 screws per 4x8 sheet. A 1 lb box of 1-1/4 in screws has about 300 screws.
Corner bead: Measure linear feet of outside corners. Available in 8 ft and 10 ft lengths.