Project ticket

Drywall for a 400 sq ft basement

This example covers 400 sq ft of measured wall area and no ceiling. With 10% waste, the area estimate rounds up to 14 sheets of 4×8 ft drywall. Floor area alone does not determine wall area.

Drywall sheets, T-square, mesh tape, and fasteners in a clean room

Start with your measurements

Size up your project

Example values are filled in. Replace them with your project measurements.

Wall area sq ft

Ceiling area sq ft

Sheet waste allowance %

Sheet count uses 4 × 8 ft panels. Confirm panel specification, fastening schedule and seam layout separately.

Before you order

Confirm board size/type and fixing requirements.
Measure seams and corners for tape; check compound coverage.

Quantities to confirm

Drywall purchase sheet

Planning quantityAmount

4 × 8 ft drywall sheetsWall and ceiling area with 10% waste / 32 sq ft; round up to whole sheets.: 14sheets
Drywall screws32 screws per purchased sheet is a planning allowance; confirm fastening schedule and package count.: 448screws
Joint compound, 5 gal planning bucketsInstalled area / 200 sq ft per bucket, rounded up; verify the actual product and finish level.: 2buckets
Joint tapeMeasure seams and inside corners from the sheet layout; area alone does not determine tape length.: Confirmlinear ft

What this estimate assumes

Panel thickness/type and fasteners depend on the assembly. The 32-screws/sheet and 200-sq-ft/bucket allowances are planning assumptions, not specifications. Tape needs a seam layout.

Name your project & add notes Optional

Project name Measurements, product details or questions

Paper size

Includes your quantities, assumptions and space to record the supplier, confirmed quantity, quote and delivery. No account required.

How to check this list before buying

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Measure the surfaces you will cover

Add the areas of the actual wall faces, then enter ceiling area separately if it is included. The 400 sq ft here is wall area, not the basement's floor footprint.

Confirm the sheet type and thickness for the assembly. Screws and compound are planning allowances. Tape stays unquantified until seams and inside corners are measured from the sheet layout.

Update the measurements below and save a purchase PDF with the selected products and notes.