Drywall Calculator
Enter the room dimensions to get the wall and ceiling area, the number of drywall sheets, plus joint compound, tape and screws.
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Estimated cost
$349 – $507
Typical figure around $428.
- Wall area
- 376 sq ft
- Ceiling area
- Not included
- Total board
- 376 sq ft
- Sheets to buy
- 13 sheets
- Joint compound
- 4 buckets (4.5 gal)
Board and finishing materials. Hanging and taping typically adds $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft.
Planning estimate only — confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor before ordering.
How this estimate is calculated
The estimate is built from room length (ft), room width (ft), wall height (ft), include ceiling and sheet size, then priced at national average rates. It reports wall area, ceiling area, total board, sheets to buy and joint compound, with quantities rounded up so you are never short of material and the standard waste allowance already included where it applies.
Board and finishing materials. Hanging and taping typically adds $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft.
The dollar range is a national average, so treat it as a starting point rather than a bid. Labor rates, permit fees and material delivery differ by region — the state table below shows how your state compares, and construction cost by state breaks the picture down further.
Prefer the longer version? Read our guide to How much does a bathroom remodel cost and How much does it cost to paint a room and How much does it cost to replace an entry door and How much does sliding door replacement cost.
Cost by include ceiling
Each row prices the same default job shown in the calculator above, changing only the include ceiling. Use it to see what the upgrade or the cheaper option really costs before you commit.
| Include ceiling | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | $513 | $743 |
| No | $349 | $507 |
What the same job costs by state
Every row applies that state's construction cost index to the national range calculated above. The index bundles local labor rates, permit fees and material delivery, so it is a planning figure rather than a bid.
| State | Index | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 0.92 | $321 | $467 |
| Texas | 0.93 | $325 | $472 |
| North Carolina | 0.94 | $328 | $477 |
| Georgia | 0.95 | $332 | $482 |
| Arizona | 1.01 | $353 | $512 |
| Florida | 1.02 | $356 | $517 |
| Pennsylvania | 1.03 | $360 | $522 |
| Illinois | 1.05 | $367 | $533 |
| Colorado | 1.08 | $377 | $548 |
| Washington | 1.15 | $402 | $583 |
| California | 1.32 | $461 | $669 |
| New York | 1.42 | $496 | $720 |
Index 1.00 is the national average. See construction cost by state for metro-level figures and the projects homeowners ask about most.
Where to buy materials
Links to suppliers are sponsored: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects an estimate.
- Search The Home Depot“drywall sheets 1/2 in”
- Search Lowe's“drywall sheets 1/2 in”
Frequently asked questions
How many screws do I need for drywall?
About 32 screws per 4 × 8 sheet on walls, and more on ceilings where spacing tightens. Plan on roughly one pound of screws per 300 square feet of board.
How much joint compound do I need?
A 4.5-gallon bucket covers about 100 square feet of board through all three coats. Taping uses the most compound, so buy a little extra rather than stopping mid-job.
How many sheets of drywall does a room need?
A 14 × 12 ft room with 8 ft walls has about 376 square feet of wall, which is 13 sheets of 4 × 8 board once you allow 10% for cuts. Switching to 4 × 12 sheets drops that to nine, and they leave fewer seams to finish.
How much does drywall cost installed?
Board and finishing materials run about $350 for a 376 sq ft room. Hanging, taping and finishing adds $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of wall, which is another $560 to $1,300 in labour on top of the materials.
Does this cost change from state to state?
Yes. Applying each state's construction cost index to the national range of $349 to $507, the same job runs from about $321 to $467 in Ohio (index 0.92) to $496 to $720 in New York (index 1.42).
What is not included in this estimate?
Board and finishing materials. Hanging and taping typically adds $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft. The figure is a national planning average for the work described above, not a contractor's quote.
