Drywall calculator: sheets, joint compound, tape and screws
One row per wall or ceiling: its length, height or width, and the openings you deduct. Enter the sheet size, your waste and the rates read from the data sheets: the calculation gives the sheets, the compound, the tape and the screws.
The data sheets' rates (reference)
As printed, per area of board. Beware: some sheets print the per-1,000 sq ft figure unchanged under "per 100 m²" (it is per 93 m²). Your product's exact rate is on its data sheet.
| Data sheet | Material | Published rate |
|---|---|---|
| USG J1969 | All purpose compound | About 10 gal per 1,000 sq ft |
| National Gypsum | Ready-mix compounds | About 123 to 140 lb (9 gal) per 1,000 sq ft |
| USG J443727 | Paper tape | About 370 ft per 1,000 sq ft |
| CGC handbook | Screws | About 1,000 per 1,000 sq ft at 16 in framing, 850 at 24 in |
Sources: USG, all purpose compound; National Gypsum, construction guide; USG, paper joint tape; CGC handbook
Board and fasteners: the rules (reference)
What the codes and makers say, as read. No maker publishes a waste percentage: CGC only says to allow for loss.
| Rule as read | |
|---|---|
| Thickness and fasteners | IRC Table R702.3.5: 1/2 and 5/8 in board on ceilings at 16 in, or 24 in perpendicular, nails 7 in or screws 12 in; on walls at 24 in, screws 12 in (16 in at 16 in framing) |
| Fastener spacing | GA-216: screws at most 12 in on ceilings and 16 in on walls framed at 16 in; at least 3/8 in from edges |
| Sizes | Sheets 4 ft wide, 8 to 12 ft long; 1/2 in regular and 5/8 in Type X |
| Openings | CertainTeed counts them as board; USG subtracts only the large ones |
Sources: IRC 2021, R702.3.5; GA-216; National Gypsum, construction guide; CertainTeed, installation guide; USG, installation guide
Before you open a wall or tape: the cautions (reference)
What the sources say, as read.
| Caution | |
|---|---|
| Older materials | Health Canada lists paint, putty, drywall, caulking, sealants and spackling among older materials that may contain asbestos: have them tested before sanding or breaking |
| Lead paint | The EPA RRP rule covers paint disturbed in homes built before 1978: certified firms and renovators |
| Garage | 1/2 in gypsum board on the garage side, 5/8 in Type X under habitable rooms above it |
| Wet areas | Water-resistant backing board is not for direct exposure to water or continuous high humidity |
Sources: Health Canada, asbestos; EPA, RRP rule; IRC 2021, R302.6; IRC 2021, R702.3.7
How it is calculated
Board area = length x height (or width) - openings deducted, for each surface. Sheets = area x (1 + waste) / (sheet width x length), rounded up to the sheet on the total. Compound = area x rate / 1,000 (gal per 1,000 sq ft), tape = area x rate / 1,000 (ft per 1,000 sq ft), screws = area x rate / 1,000, rounded up. No sheet size, waste or rate comes filled in: they come from your data sheets.
The whole job in MesuPro
Drywall survey
Walls and ceilings room by room, sheets per product, corners and trim, compound, tape and screws, level of finish and fire separation.
Feet and inches by default
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