Drywall Sheet Count and Mud
Sheets, mud gallons, tape lf, and screws from wall and ceiling area.
Example
You enter
- Wall area (ft²) 1200
- Ceiling area (ft²) 600
- Sheet size 4x8
- Waste (%) 10
You get
- Sheets 62
- Mud (gal) 18.0
- Tape (lf) 666
- Total (ft²) 1800
Checked against published worked examples from: USG (United States Gypsum Company).
Details, formula, and sources
Formula or tableSheets = ceil(area x (1 + waste) / sheet area). Mud (ready-mix) = 10 gal per 1,000 ft² of board (USG All Purpose, J1969). Tape = 370 ft per 1,000 ft². Screws = 875 per 1,000 ft² on walls and 1,125 on ceilings (USG Gypsum Construction Handbook).
Source and editionUSG / National Gypsum technical literature by name; GA-216 (Gypsum Association Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products) by name.
Free accessGA-216 free at gypsum.org. Manufacturer guides free at usg.com / nationalgypsum.com.
What governsEstimate. AHJ and licensed professional govern.
API field nameswall_area_ft2, ceiling_area_ft2, sheet_size, waste_percent, sheets, mud_gal, tape_lf, total_ft2
- Default waste factor 10% unless user suppliesengineering practice