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12×12 room: sheets by wall height and sheet size
| Wall height | Wall area | 4×8 walls | 4×8 walls + ceiling | 4×12 walls | 4×12 walls + ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 384 sq ft | 14 | 19 | 9 | 13 |
| 9 ft | 432 sq ft | 15 | 20 | 10 | 14 |
| 10 ft | 480 sq ft | 17 | 22 | 11 | 15 |
How the count works
Wall area = perimeter × height = (12 + 12 + 12 + 12) × 8 = 384 sq ft. Add 10% for cuts and waste: 422.4 sq ft. Divide by 32 sq ft per 4×8 sheet: 13.2, so buy 14. The ceiling adds 144 sq ft; adding it to the walls before rounding gives 19 sheets total. We don’t subtract doors and windows because the offcuts are rarely usable elsewhere, and the extra covers breakage.
Other room sizes
| Room (8 ft walls) | 4×8 walls | 4×8 walls + ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 11 | 15 |
| 10×12 | 13 | 17 |
| 12×14 | 15 | 21 |
| 14×16 | 17 | 25 |
| 20×20 | 22 | 36 |
4×8 or 4×12?
4×12 sheets mean fewer seams to tape on long walls and ceilings, but they weigh more and are hard to get up stairs or into a small car. For a single 12×12 room, many DIYers use 4×8 sheets. Ceilings usually use 5/8 inch or sag-resistant 1/2 inch board; check local code and the manufacturer’s spacing rules.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 room?
About 14 4×8 sheets for 8 ft walls; 19 with the ceiling.
How many 4×12 sheets for a 12×12 room?
9 for 8 ft walls; 13 with the ceiling.
How many sheets of drywall for a 12×12 ceiling?
144 sq ft ÷ 32 = 4.5, so 5 sheets of 4×8 on their own.
Should I subtract doors and windows?
Usually not; the offcuts rarely fit elsewhere and the extra covers breakage.