Drywall calculator — wall and ceiling sheets

Estimate sheets for the inside of one rectangular room: four walls, with an optional ceiling. Enter dimensions in feet, subtract openings in square feet and choose a cutting allowance. The result is an area-based estimate, not a board layout or a specification for fire-rated construction.

ツールとラベルは日本語です。以下の参考情報は英語のままです。

drywall sheet calculator

Estimated sheets to buy
17sheets
Net coverage area
472ft²
Area with cutting allowance
519.2ft²
Sheet coverage
32ft² / sheet

Formula

sheets = ceil(([2(L + W)H − openings + ceiling] × [1 + waste/100]) ÷ [sheet width × sheet length])

For walls only, ceiling area is zero. For walls and ceiling, ceiling area is L × W. Round up once, after applying the allowance. The 10% default is an editable planning assumption, not a universal standard. Openings cannot exceed wall area. Small cutouts may not save a sheet; board orientation, joints, offcut reuse and multiple layers change the order quantity.

Worked examples

InputResult
12 × 10 ft room, 8 ft high; walls only; no openings; 4 × 8 ft sheets; 10% allowance352 ft² net × 1.10 ÷ 32 = 12.1 → 13 sheets
Same room with ceiling472 ft² net × 1.10 ÷ 32 = 16.225 → 17 sheets
Same room with ceiling and 40 ft² openings432 ft² net × 1.10 ÷ 32 = 14.85 → 15 sheets

Drywall sheet sizes and coverage

Sheet dimensionsCoverage per sheet
4 × 8 ft32 ft² (2.973 m²)
4 × 10 ft40 ft² (3.716 m²)
4 × 12 ft48 ft² (4.459 m²)

Sheets for common net areas — 4 × 8 ft, 10% allowance

Area estimates rounded up, before any board-layout check.

Net wall / ceiling areaEstimated sheets
100 ft²4 sheets
200 ft²7 sheets
300 ft²11 sheets
400 ft²14 sheets
500 ft²18 sheets
750 ft²26 sheets
1000 ft²35 sheets

Questions

How many drywall sheets do I need?

Calculate the wall area as perimeter × height, subtract your chosen openings, add the ceiling if needed, apply a cutting allowance, then divide by sheet area and round up. A 12 × 10 ft room with 8 ft walls and a ceiling needs an estimated 17 sheets of 4 × 8 ft board at 10% allowance, before openings.

Should I subtract doors and windows?

You can subtract their combined area, but small openings do not always reduce the number of whole sheets. For a conservative estimate leave openings at zero, then check a board layout before ordering.

How much waste should I allow?

The default 10% is only a planning assumption. Adjust it for offcut reuse, angled walls, openings and sheet layout. Confirm the quantity with your installer or supplier.

Can I use metric dimensions?

This room estimator uses feet and square feet. Convert lengths with the mm-to-feet tool and opening areas with the m² ↔ ft² converter. A metric 1200 × 2400 mm board is not exactly a 4 × 8 ft board; enter its actual converted dimensions.

Does this include screws, joint compound or multiple board layers?

No. It estimates one layer of sheets only. Fastener spacing, compounds, thickness, fire resistance and moisture requirements depend on the approved assembly and manufacturer guidance.

このファイルの修正や作図に、認定CAD/BIM技術者が必要ですか?

TaskBider drafters, detailers and BIM coordinators work remotely and every listing shows the pay. Typical published range for this work: $18–$45/hr.

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