How Many Drywall Sheets for a 12x12 Room? (Calculator)
A 12x12 room needs about 19 sheets of 4x8 drywall (walls + ceiling). Full math, chart and supplies list.
Quick answer: A 12×12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings needs about 19 sheets of 4×8 drywall (walls + ceiling, with 10% waste). Use the drywall calculator for any room.
Drywall count for a 12x12 room
You need drywall for the walls and the ceiling. Here's the full math:
- Walls: (12+12) × 2 × 8 = 384 sq ft
- Ceiling: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
- Total: 528 sq ft × 1.10 waste = 580 sq ft
- 4×8 sheets (32 sq ft): 580 ÷ 32 = 18.1 → 19 sheets
Sheets by room size (4x8, 10% waste)
| Room | Walls | Ceiling | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 320 sq ft | 100 sq ft | ~15 |
| 12×12 | 384 sq ft | 144 sq ft | ~19 |
| 12×14 | 416 sq ft | 168 sq ft | ~20 |
| 14×16 | 480 sq ft | 224 sq ft | ~25 |
| 16×20 | 576 sq ft | 320 sq ft | ~31 |
Supplies that come with drywall
- Screws: 1 lb box per 10 sheets (about 250 screws)
- Tape: 1 roll of 250 ft per 10 sheets
- Joint compound: one 25 lb bag per 4-5 sheets
Pro tips
- Hang sheets horizontally on walls — fewer seams and easier taper
- Stagger joints between rows to avoid long straight seams
- Use 5/8-inch drywall on ceilings if your local code requires fire-rated
FAQ
How many 4x8 sheets for a 12x12 room?
Walls + ceiling: about 19 sheets with waste.
Do ceilings need thicker drywall?
1/2 inch is standard; 5/8 inch is fire-rated and often required in garages and multi-unit buildings.
How much does drywall cost per sheet?
4×8 1/2-inch drywall runs $12-18 per sheet depending on region.
Need a different size?
Our free calculators give you the exact answer in seconds.