Drywall Calculator — Sheets, Screws & Joint Compound

Quick answer

This calculator computes drywall materials: a 4×5 m room (2.7 m ceiling) needs about 24 sheets of 1.2×2.4 m board including 10% waste, plus screws and mud.

Free.

Figures are estimates from this calculator’s standard formula — adjust the inputs in the tool below for your exact number.

Area vs number of sheets (1.2×2.4 m, incl. 10% waste)

Area (m²)	Sheets
20	8
40	16
60	23
70	27
100	39

How the drywall calculator works

Sheets = Wall Area ÷ 2.88 × (1 + Waste); Screws = Sheets × 30; Mud = Sheets × 1.4 L

Drywall takeoff divides total surface by one sheet: 1.20 × 2.40 m covers 2.88 m² (US 4 × 8 = 32 ft²). Add 10-15% for cuts, outlets and returns, then derive the accessories: about 30 screws per sheet (25 cm spacing on walls, 30 cm ceilings), 1.4 L of joint compound per sheet across a three-coat finish, plus tape at 1 m per linear meter of seam and corner bead at openings. Worked example: a 4 × 4 m room at 2.7 m height has about 43 m² of wall - 17 sheets, 510 screws, 24 L of mud and a roll and a half of tape. Use 12.5 mm board on walls, 15.9 mm Type X on fire-rated assemblies, and 9.5 mm on curved surfaces.

1
Measure the space
Record the room perimeter, height and openings at the widest and longest points.
2
Enter the values
Type the measurements into the calculator and select your units.
3
Apply the formula
The tool computes Sheets = Wall Area ÷ 2.88 × (1 + Waste); Screws = Sheets × 30; Mud = Sheets × 1.4 L for your inputs instantly.
4
Add waste and order
Review the total with a 5-10% margin and round up to whole units.

Use Cases

Drywall installations

Sheet, screw and mud quantities for drywall rooms.

Insulation upgrades

R-value targets and areas for drywall in walls and roofs.

Window and door retrofits

Rough-opening checks before ordering drywall units.

Common Mistakes

Ordering exact sheet count
Compressing insulation
Vapor barrier on the wrong side

FAQs

How many drywall sheets do I need?

Divide total area (walls + ceiling) by the sheet area (1.2×2.4 m = 2.88 m²) and add 10% waste — a 4×5 m room with 2.7 m ceilings takes about 24 sheets.

How many screws per sheet?

Screws go roughly every 30 cm along framing, about 36–40 screws per sheet for walls and ceilings.

How much joint compound and tape?

Allow about 0.5 kg of compound and 1.2 m of tape per sheet to finish seams and corners.

Should I hang drywall horizontally or vertically?

Both work on walls — horizontal reduces long seams, vertical is easier solo. Ceilings are always sheets perpendicular to the joists.

Which board thickness should I use?

12.5 mm for standard walls and ceilings, 15 mm for heavier ceiling loads, and moisture-resistant board in bathrooms and kitchens.

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