Plan drywall takeoffs with confidence and speed. Adjust board size, layers, waste, and pricing. Download clear summaries for clients and crews today on site.
| Scenario | Walls (m²) | Ceiling (m²) | Openings (m²) | Layers | Waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office partitions | 120 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 10% |
| Ceiling + walls | 140 | 60 | 12 | 1 | 12% |
| Acoustic double layer | 110 | 50 | 10 | 2 | 15% |
Accurate gypsum board quantities protect budgets, reduce site waste, and keep finishing trades on schedule. Overestimates tie up cash and storage space, while underestimates cause urgent purchases, price spikes, and idle crews.
Separate walls, ceilings, shafts, and special areas. Identify openings, bulkheads, niches, and access panels. Confirm whether both sides of partitions are included. Record thickness and performance needs such as moisture, fire, and acoustics.
Use net surface area: total walls plus ceilings, minus doors and windows. For small service penetrations, it is often practical to absorb them into waste rather than deduct individually. Keep units consistent before calculating.
Board size affects joint density and productivity. Longer boards reduce joints on corridors and ceilings but can be harder to handle. Plan orientation to reduce offcuts and to keep joints away from high-movement locations. Confirm ceiling heights and delivery paths before selecting longer sheets.
Multi-layer systems are common for performance. The calculator multiplies base net area by layers and applies waste. Typical waste is 8% to 15% for regular rooms and higher for curves, bulkheads, or restricted access.
Screw quantities depend on stud spacing, screw spacing, and extra fixings at edges and openings. Joint compound and tape vary with finish level, coat count, and joint layout. Treat coverage values as assumptions and refine them from past jobs. Coordinate screw length with board thickness and framing type.
Example inputs for a small office fit-out:
Run the calculation, then export the CSV for cost sheets and the PDF for site packs. Keep the exported assumptions with the estimate so revisions remain traceable. Re-run after any scope change.
Improve accuracy by separating materials and labor, updating vendor quotes, and tracking productivity. Store waste and coverage settings with your report to support variations, progress claims, and consistent results across projects. A short note on board type and finish level helps site teams deliver the intended quality.
Use 8–15% for typical rooms. Increase waste for curves, heavy cutting, complex bulkheads, tight access, or frequent design changes. Use historical site data when available.
Usually deduct doors and major windows. Small penetrations can be absorbed into the waste allowance, because cutting and patching often consumes similar material.
Layers multiply board coverage directly. A two-layer system doubles the net board area before waste, and it can also increase screws and finishing materials due to additional joints and handling.
Screw requirements depend on edge spacing, field spacing, framing tolerances, and extra fixings near openings. The calculator uses spacing and a density factor to reflect typical site practice.
Yes. Set wall area to zero and enter ceiling area. Keep openings as needed for access hatches or large cut-outs, then calculate and export the results.
Start with typical values, then adjust using supplier data sheets and your finish level. Higher finish levels, more coats, or many joints increase compound and tape usage.
The PDF summarizes key quantities, waste, board size, and estimated costs based on your latest calculation. It is designed for quick sharing with teams and clients.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.