How much does it cost to drywall a room?
Hanging, taping, and finishing drywall runs roughly $1.50–$3.50 per square foot of wall and ceiling area installed. A standard 12×12 ft room (about 528 sq ft of surface) costs about $800–$1,850 with a pro. The board itself is cheap — most of the bill is labor, so doing the materials yourself drops the same room to around $300–$500.
Drywall cost by room size
Drywall is priced by the surface area you cover — the walls (perimeter × height) plus the ceiling. These rooms assume 8 ft ceilings and include the ceiling:
| Room size | Wall + ceiling area | Sheets (4×8) | Installed ($1.50–$3.50/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | ~420 sq ft | ~15 | $630–$1,470 |
| 12 × 12 ft | ~528 sq ft | ~19 | $800–$1,850 |
| 12 × 16 ft | ~640 sq ft | ~22 | $960–$2,240 |
| 14 × 20 ft | ~824 sq ft | ~29 | $1,240–$2,880 |
Sheet counts include about 10% for waste. Walls only (no ceiling) cost less; a tall or vaulted ceiling costs more.
Cost per sheet vs. per square foot
Two ways the same job gets quoted:
- Per square foot — about $1.50–$3.50 installed, the most common way to price a whole room.
- Per sheet — roughly $50–$120 installed per 4×8 sheet (hung and finished), which is the per-sq-ft rate × 32.
- Board only — a 4×8 sheet is about $12–$20 at the store (≈$0.40–$0.65 per sq ft), before any labor or finishing materials.
Get your sheet count and material cost
Enter your room size and the drywall calculator gives the sheets, screws, and an editable cost — for walls only or walls plus ceiling.
Open the Drywall CalculatorWhat a drywall job includes
- The board. Standard, moisture-resistant (for baths), or fire-rated sheets — the cheapest part of the job.
- Hanging. Lifting, cutting, and screwing the sheets to the framing.
- Taping & mudding. Tape, several coats of joint compound, and sanding to a smooth, paint-ready finish — the skilled, time-consuming part.
- Corner bead. Metal or plastic bead on every outside corner.
- Cleanup & haul-away. Drywall sanding is dusty, and offcuts need disposal.
What changes the price
- Finish level. A standard Level 4 finish is typical; Level 5 (a skim coat for walls under harsh light) costs more.
- Ceilings & height. Ceilings and tall or vaulted walls are slower and need staging.
- Board type. Moisture- and fire-resistant or soundproofing board costs more than standard.
- Repairs & access. Old-home framing, tight access, and patching around wiring or plumbing add time.
- Region. Local labor rates are a big part of the installed number.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Drywall is a popular DIY project because the materials are cheap — the board, screws, tape, and compound for an average room total only a few hundred dollars. Hanging the sheets is the approachable part; the taping and finishing is what separates a clean job from a wavy one, since smooth, paint-ready seams take practice and patience. Many DIYers hang the board themselves and hire out the finishing, which splits the difference. Whatever you choose, take your time on the mud and sanding — that's the surface you'll see. See our methodology for how we build these ranges.