How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 room?
Quick Answer
A 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings needs approximately 16–18 sheets of 4×8 drywall for walls and ceiling combined, including 10% waste. The four walls cover 384 sq ft and the ceiling covers 144 sq ft — 528 total sq ft gross, minus openings. Each 4×8 sheet covers 32 sq ft.
Quick Reference Table
| Room Size (8 ft ceiling) | 4×8 Sheets (walls + ceiling) |
|---|---|
| 10×10 ft | 14–16 sheets |
| 12×12 ft | 16–18 sheets |
| 12×15 ft | 19–21 sheets |
| 14×14 ft | 19–22 sheets |
| 15×20 ft | 24–27 sheets |
| 20×20 ft | 30–34 sheets |
How to Calculate It Yourself
- 1
Calculate wall area: perimeter × height. For 12×12 at 8 ft: (12+12+12+12) × 8 = 384 sq ft.
- 2
Calculate ceiling area: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft.
- 3
Subtract openings: 1 door (21 sq ft) + 2 windows (30 sq ft) = 51 sq ft. Net area: 384 + 144 − 51 = 477 sq ft.
- 4
Add 10% waste: 477 × 1.10 = 525 sq ft. Divide by 32 (sq ft per 4×8 sheet) = 16.4 → order 17 sheets.
Pro Tip
For ceilings, use 4×12 sheets instead of 4×8 — fewer seams means less taping and a flatter finished surface. A 12-foot room hits the perfect width with no waste on 4×12 sheets.
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