Estimate the number of drywall sheets, mud, tape, and total cost for your room.
Our drywall calculator helps you estimate exactly how many sheets of drywall you need for your project, along with the cost of materials and installation. Whether you're finishing a basement, remodeling a room, or building new construction, accurate estimates prevent material shortages and reduce waste.
For example, a 12x12 ft room with 8-ft ceilings and one door and one window needs approximately 19 sheets of drywall. With standard drywall at $15/sheet and labor at $80/sheet installed, the total project cost would be around $1,800-$2,000.
Standard drywall sheets are 4 feet wide and come in 8, 10, or 12-ft lengths. 4x8 sheets are most common and manageable for DIY. 4x12 sheets reduce the number of seams and are more efficient for long walls, but require two people to install. The calculator uses 4x8 sheets (32 sq ft each) by default.
Choosing the right drywall type is important for safety and durability. Here's how the options compare:
| Type | Cost per Sheet | Thickness | Pros | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (White Board) | $15 | 1/2 in | Most affordable, easy to cut and install | Living rooms, bedrooms, home offices |
| Moisture Resistant (Green Board) | $20 | 1/2 in | Resists moisture and mold, wax-coated paper | Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, laundry rooms |
| Fire Resistant (Type X) | $24 | 5/8 in | Fire-rated, required by code in attached garages | Garage shared walls, furnace rooms, multi-family |
For supplies, you'll need about 1 lb of drywall screws per 4x8 sheet, 2 gallons of joint compound per 20 sheets, and 250 ft of drywall tape per 20 sheets. Our calculator includes these in the supplies estimate.
A 12x12 room with 8-ft ceilings needs approximately 17-20 sheets of 4x8 drywall depending on the number of doors and windows. This covers the walls (384 sq ft) and ceiling (144 sq ft). Always buy 1-2 extra sheets for waste and mistakes.
4x8 sheets (32 sq ft) are best for DIY — they weigh about 55 lbs and can be handled by one person. 4x12 sheets (48 sq ft) reduce seams but require two people to install and weigh about 80 lbs. Use 4x8 for most rooms and 4x12 for long walls without many cutouts.
For a standard 12x12 room with 8-ft ceilings, expect to pay $1,500-$2,500 for professional installation including materials and finishing. DIY costs about $500-$800 for materials only. The biggest cost variable is the finishing work — taping, mudding, and sanding.
Interior drywall replacement typically doesn't require a permit. New construction or major structural changes do. Some jurisdictions require inspections for fire-rated assemblies (garage walls). Check with your local building department before starting.
Hanging drywall for a single room takes 1-2 days. The finishing process (taping, mudding, sanding) takes 3-4 more days because each coat of mud needs to dry overnight. Total timeline: 4-6 days for a complete room installation including finishing.
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