How much drywall do you need for a 12×16 room?

A 12×16 ft room with 8 ft walls needs 21 sheets of 4×8 drywall for the walls and ceiling (one door, one window, 10% waste), or 14 sheets of 4×12. Walls alone take 15 sheets of 4×8.

Change the numbers

The calculator below is pre-filled for this project. Adjust any value — including feet and inches — and the results update instantly.

Your results

Drywall sheets21

Total area to cover604 sq ft

Walls / ceiling412 / 192 sq ft

Drywall screws (≈1 per sq ft)672

How much drywall do you need for a 12×16 room — diagram

Drywall sheets for a 12×16 room by wall height

Walls plus ceiling, one door and one window subtracted, 10% waste.

Wall height	Area to cover	4×8 sheets	4×12 sheets
8 ft	604 sq ft	21	14
9 ft	660 sq ft	23	16
10 ft	716 sq ft	25	17

Breakdown

Walls: 412 sq ft after openings
Ceiling: 192 sq ft — consider 4×12 sheets or a drywall lift for the ceiling
Screws: about 672 (≈1 per sq ft of board)

The math

Walls 2 × (12 + 16) × 8 − 21 − 15 = 412 sq ft Ceiling 12 × 16 = 192 sq ft (412 + 192) × 1.10 ÷ 32 = 21 sheets (rounded up)

Common questions

How many sheets of drywall for a 12x16 room?

21 sheets of 4×8 for walls and ceiling with 8 ft walls, or 15 sheets for the walls only.

How many 4x12 drywall sheets for a 12x16 room?

14 sheets for walls and ceiling with 8 ft walls and 10% waste.

Want the full method, tips and other sizes? See the drywall calculator guide.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026. Results are estimates — confirm with your supplier.

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