Drywall Calculator for a Ceiling
Estimate sheets, screws and mud for a ceiling installation.
Use this free drywall calculator to estimate the sheets, screws, joint compound, and tape required for walls and ceilings. Enter the total wall + ceiling area and the coverage per sheet. The calculator then provides material estimates based on the stated coverage rates, helping you plan drywall jobs for basements, garages, ceilings, and bathrooms.
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 on a ceiling?
⅝ in is the standard for ceilings. It sags less between joists than ½ in and gives a flatter finished surface. Use fire-rated ⅝ in Type X if code requires it.
Which way to hang drywall on a ceiling?
Always perpendicular to the joists. It ties the framing together, distributes screws across more joists and puts most of the tapered seams in an easier-to-finish direction.
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.
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Where can I learn more about these materials?
Weights, coverage, types and buying tips for the materials this calculator estimates.
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