Drywall Calculator for a Basement
Estimate sheets, screws, mud and tape for a basement finish.
Estimate drywall sheets, screws, joint compound (mud), and tape for any drywall job. Enter the total wall and ceiling area and the coverage per sheet to calculate the number of sheets. The calculator also estimates screws, mud, and tape using the material rates shown below.
Sheets
25
Screws
800
~1 per ft²
Mud
2 gal
Tape: 400 ft
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How does the drywall calculator work?
Add wall + ceiling area, divide by sheet coverage (a 4×8 sheet = 32 ft²) to get sheets. Estimate roughly 1 screw per ft², one 3.5-gallon bucket of joint compound per 400 ft², and 0.5 ft of tape per ft² of drywall.
What else do people ask about this calculator?
What thickness drywall in a basement?
Use ½ in standard drywall on walls and ⅝ in fire-rated (Type X) drywall on the ceiling if it's under a wood-framed floor — required by most residential building codes.
Do I need moisture-resistant drywall in a basement?
Yes on any wall touching a foundation or exterior wall — paperless (fiberglass-faced) or purple mold-resistant drywall is standard. Interior partition walls can use regular drywall.
How many drywall sheets do I need?
Divide total wall + ceiling area by 32 ft² (for 4×8 sheets) or 48 ft² (for 4×12 sheets). Add 10% for cuts.
How many screws per drywall sheet?
About 32 screws per 4×8 sheet — 8 in on ceilings, 12 in on walls along studs.
Which related calculators should I use next?
Where can I learn more about these materials?
Weights, coverage, types and buying tips for the materials this calculator estimates.
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