How Much Drywall for 1,200 Square Feet?
Drywall sheets
42 sheets
1,200 square feet of board, 4 by 8 sheets, ten percent waste.
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How that number is worked out
These are the figures this page was built with and every line the calculator produces from them. Change anything above and all of it moves.
- Total area to cover1200 sq ft
- Sheet size4 x 8 ft, 32 sq ft
- Waste allowance10 %
Drywall sheets42 sheets
| Area with 10% waste | 1,320 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Sheets at 32 sq ft | 42 |
| Joint compound, 4.5 gal buckets | 3 |
| Joint tape | 502 lf |
| Screws | 1,344 (about 5 lb) |
| Corner bead, rough guess | 80 lf |
The material list this produces
| Drywall sheets | 42 |
|---|---|
| Joint compound, 4.5 gal buckets | 3 |
| Joint tape, linear ft | 502 |
| Drywall screws, lb | 5 |
Sheet size compared
Longer sheets mean fewer butt joints and less taping. Same area, three sheet sizes.
| Sheet size | Drywall sheets |
|---|---|
| 4 x 8 ft | 42 sheets |
| 4 x 10 ft | 33 sheets |
| 4 x 12 ft | 28 sheets |
What else matters here
Forty two sheets. Whether they are half inch or five eighths is a question the code answers in some places and the ceiling answers in others.
Five eighths type X is required by the residential code in specific places, most commonly the garage side of a wall or ceiling separating a garage from the living space, and in the assemblies of attached dwellings. Those are fire ratings and the board is part of a tested assembly, so the thickness and the type are not a preference.
The other reason to use it has nothing to do with fire. Half inch board sags on ceilings framed at 24 inch centers, especially if it gets damp before it is painted or if insulation is blown in on top of it. Five eighths on a 24 inch ceiling, or half inch sag resistant board sold for the purpose, is what stops the ripples showing up six months later.
What this calculator assumes
- Joint compound is figured at one 4.5 gallon bucket per 475 sq ft of board for a full three coat finish. A level 5 finish uses more.
- Tape is figured at 380 linear feet per 1000 sq ft of board, screws at 32 per sheet for 16 inch on center framing.
- Longer sheets mean fewer butt joints, which is less taping and a flatter wall. Use 12 footers where they will fit through the door.
Questions people ask
How many sheets of drywall for 1,200 square feet?
Forty two sheets of 4 by 8 with a ten percent waste allowance, covering 1,320 square feet of board.
When do I need 5/8 drywall instead of 1/2?
Where the code calls for a fire rated assembly, such as the garage side of a garage to house separation, and on ceilings framed at 24 inch centers where half inch sags.
Does 1/2 inch drywall sag on ceilings?
On 24 inch centers it can, particularly if it gets damp or carries blown insulation above it. Five eighths or a sag resistant half inch board solves it.
The drywall calculator takes any dimensions you like and hands back the same list.