Wall Area
wallGrossArea = 2 x (length + width) x height; wallNetArea = max(wallGrossArea - openingArea, 0).
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About Drywall Calculator
Estimate drywall sheets, framing, screws, finishing materials, and cost from one room worksheet.
WallsCeilingWhole roomCSV
About this calculator
What this does
Calculates drywall material quantities for walls, ceilings, or an entire room. It subtracts door and window openings where applicable, adds waste, and converts the result into sheets, framing length, screws, joint compound, tape, corner bead, and estimated material cost.
Who it is for
Homeowners, DIY remodelers, contractors, and material estimators planning drywall purchases before a repair, room finish, basement build-out, or small renovation.
How it works
The calculator converts the visible unit inputs to meters for the core math, computes wall and ceiling area, deducts openings from wall area, applies board and other waste allowances, then rounds purchase quantities where needed. Length-based material costs use the currently selected length unit.
Limitations
Results are planning estimates. The calculator does not optimize sheet layout, model cuts, include labor, account for fastener schedules by code, or replace a local contractor's takeoff for complex rooms.
Formula
Ceiling Area
ceilingArea = length x width. Whole Room mode adds ceiling area to the net wall area.
Drywall Sheets
boardsNeeded = ceil(netArea / boardArea x (1 + boardWasteRate)).
Finishing Materials
Screws use 40 per sheet before waste, joint compound uses 0.35 kg per sq m, tape uses board length x 1.2 per sheet, and corner bead uses four room-height corners in wall modes.
How it works
Step 1
Choose the takeoff area
Select Walls, Ceiling, or Whole Room so the calculator applies the right area formula.
Step 2
Enter room measurements
Enter length, width, height, and unit. Switching units preserves the same physical dimensions.
Step 3
Subtract openings
Add door, window, or custom openings with width, height, and quantity. These are deducted from wall area.
Step 4
Set material and prices
Edit board size, spacing, waste, and unit prices to match the products you plan to buy.
Step 5
Export the material sheet
Use the material takeoff table, CSV export, or print action for a shopping or job-site checklist.
Reference ranges
Board Waste
10% is a common allowance for simple rooms. Increase it for many cuts, unusual corners, or first-time installation.
Common Board Size
4 x 8 ft sheets are common in the United States, while metric projects often use 1.22 x 2.44 m equivalents.
Screw Allowance
The v1 estimate uses 40 screws per sheet before waste as a quick planning rule, not a code-specific fastening schedule.