📐 Room Dimensions
⚙️ Sheet Options
Sheets of Drywall
—sheets
Wall Area
—
sq ft
Est. Weight
—
lbs total
Est. Material Cost
—
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How to Calculate Drywall Sheets
Calculate total wall area, subtract doors and windows, add 10% for waste from cuts, then divide by the square footage per sheet — rounding up.
// Wall area
Area = total perimeter × ceiling height
Subtract: doors (~21 sq ft), windows (~15 sq ft)
Sheets = CEIL((area × 1.10) ÷ sq ft per sheet)
Area = total perimeter × ceiling height
Subtract: doors (~21 sq ft), windows (~15 sq ft)
Sheets = CEIL((area × 1.10) ÷ sq ft per sheet)
Which Drywall Type Do You Need?
| Type | Thickness | Use | Weight/Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1/2" | Interior walls and ceilings | ~51 lbs |
| Type X (fire rated) | 5/8" | Garages, attached walls, ceilings near furnaces | ~57 lbs |
| Moisture resistant (green board) | 1/2" | Bathrooms, laundry rooms — not wet areas | ~53 lbs |
| Cement board | 1/2" | Behind tile in showers, tub surrounds | ~73 lbs |
| Lightweight | 1/2" | Same as standard — easier to handle | ~38 lbs |
Pro Hanging Tips
- Hang ceilings first, then walls — ceiling sheets lock in wall sheets at the top.
- Stagger joints. End joints should fall on different studs in adjacent rows — never line up vertically.
- Use 1-5/8" screws for 1/2" drywall into 2×4 studs. Space screws every 12 inches in the field, 8 inches on edges.
- Never hang drywall alone on ceilings. Rent a drywall lift (~$40/day) — it will save your back and make the work dramatically faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 room?
A 12×12 room with 8-ft ceilings has a wall perimeter of 48 ft. 48 × 8 = 384 sq ft. Subtract 2 doors (42 sq ft) and 2 windows (30 sq ft) = 312 sq ft. At 32 sq ft per sheet (4×8) with 10% waste = 11 sheets. This calculator handles all of that automatically.
Do I need special drywall for a garage?
Yes. Most building codes require 5/8" Type X fire-rated drywall on walls and ceiling of an attached garage, and on any wall between the garage and living space. Check your local building code — requirements vary by jurisdiction. Type X is heavier and costs slightly more but is non-negotiable in most inspected projects.
Can I use drywall in a bathroom?
Regular drywall should not be used in high-humidity areas. Use moisture-resistant drywall (green board) for bathroom walls, but not directly behind tile in wet zones. Behind tile in showers and tub surrounds, use cement board — it won't degrade with water exposure the way any drywall eventually will.