Free Drywall Calculator — All Cities
Calculate drywall sheets for walls and ceilings. Standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-rated options with per-sheet coverage and pricing by city.
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Drywall estimation is straightforward math — total wall and ceiling area divided by 32 (the coverage of a standard 4x8 sheet). The complication is knowing which type of drywall to use where. Standard 1/2" drywall covers most bedrooms and living rooms, but bathrooms need moisture-resistant green board, attached garage walls and ceilings require 5/8" fire-rated Type X, and ceilings with 24" on-center joists need 5/8" to prevent sagging.
A standard sheet costs $10–$15 for regular 1/2", jumping to $18–$28 for moisture-resistant or fire-rated panels. The real cost of drywall work is not the sheets — it is the finishing. Joint compound (mud), tape, screws, and sanding add $1–$2 per square foot in materials alone. Labor for professional finishing (Level 4 or 5 finish) adds another $1.50–$3 per square foot, and it is the one trade where most DIYers agree a pro is worth the cost.
When estimating, account for every wall surface including closet interiors, soffits, and bulkheads. Subtract doors (21 sq ft each) and windows (15 sq ft each) from wall area. The 10% waste factor covers cutouts around outlets, light switches, and junction boxes — there are typically 3–5 per wall in modern homes.
Drywall Materials & Pricing
- Drywall Sheet (4'×8', ½")$10–$28 per sheet (32 sq ft/sheet)
Drywall Calculator by City
Los Angeles, CA
Title 24 requires insulation upgrades when opening walls. Seismic retrofit may apply to pre-1978 homes. Low-VOC joint compound required.
Chicago, IL
Type X fire-rated drywall is required throughout most multi-unit buildings. Chicago's municipal code is stricter than Illinois state code.
Houston, TX
Moisture-resistant green board is standard in Houston bathrooms due to 70–90% RH. Mold-resistant options are strongly recommended throughout.
Phoenix, AZ
Standard drywall works well in Phoenix's dry climate. Dust from desert air settles fast during mudding — tape plastic over HVAC returns.
Philadelphia, PA
5/8" Type X is required on party walls in every row home. Many older Philly homes have plaster — skim-coating preserves trim reveals.
San Antonio, TX
Knockdown texture is common in San Antonio homes, increasing mud requirements. Material costs are 10–15% below the national average.
San Diego, CA
CALGreen mandates low-VOC joint compounds. Coastal properties need moisture-resistant drywall on exterior walls due to salt air.
Dallas, TX
Knockdown texture is the Dallas standard — budget extra joint compound. Standard 1/2" for most residential, Type X for attached garages.
Austin, TX
Austin Energy offers rebates when insulation is upgraded during wall work. Impervious cover limits may affect exterior drywall-adjacent projects.
Seattle, WA
Moisture-resistant drywall recommended throughout (not just bathrooms) due to Seattle's damp climate. Vapor retarders required behind exterior walls.
Denver, CO
Radon mitigation systems are required in any basement renovation. R-21 wall insulation mandated when opening walls — above national standard.
Boston, MA
Lead paint on existing plaster must be tested in pre-1978 homes. Many homeowners skim-coat rather than replace to preserve historic trim details.
Miami, FL
Moisture-resistant drywall is standard throughout Miami homes. Concrete block walls require furring strips — different framing than stud walls.
Atlanta, GA
Termite treatment certificates required when accessing wood framing. R-13 insulation required when walls are opened per Georgia energy code.
Minneapolis, MN
Continuous vapor barriers required on the warm side of all exterior walls to prevent condensation at -20°F. R-21 insulation required in new work.