Drywall Cost Calculator
What it is likely to cost to have drywall hung and finished, based on the wall and ceiling area and a per-square-foot rate you can adjust to local quotes.
Result
| Drywall area | |
| Rate used | |
| Estimated installed cost |
Units & conversions used
Area in square feet of wall and ceiling surface; metric areas are converted at 1 m² = 10.7639 ft². Cost is covered area (ft²) multiplied by your hang-and-finish rate per square foot — how drywall contractors commonly quote, with board, compound, tape and labor priced in.
Formula & source
Source: the $1.50–$3.50/ft² default band reflects commonly published 2025–2026 US pricing for professionally hung, taped and finished drywall at a standard smooth finish. It is a budgeting aid, not a quote — high ceilings, Level 5 finishes, moisture- or fire-rated board, and small patch jobs all price differently, so replace the defaults with local quotes whenever you have them. Not sure of your sheet count? Our drywall calculator turns room dimensions into area and sheets.
Worked example (you can verify by hand)
Input: 800 ft² of wall and ceiling area, rates $1.50–$3.50/ft².
- Low estimate: 800 × $1.50 = $1,200
- High estimate: 800 × $3.50 = $2,800
Expected output: estimated installed cost $1,200–$2,800 for 800 ft².
Limitations — what this cannot do
- One flat rate at a standard finish. Level 5 (skim-coat) finishes, textured finishes, vaulted ceilings and lots of corners or soffits cost more per foot.
- Framing, insulation, vapor barriers and demo of old plaster or paneling are separate trades and not in the default rate.
- Small repairs and patches are usually priced per job, not per square foot — this page targets room- and project-scale work. Get itemized local quotes before budgeting.
FAQ
How much does it cost to drywall 800 ft²?
At the commonly published 2025–2026 hang-and-finish band of $1.50–$3.50/ft² of covered surface, about $1,200–$2,800. Note this is wall-plus-ceiling area, not floor area — an 800 ft² floor plan typically has well over 2,000 ft² of drywall surface. Use our drywall calculator to get your real surface area.
How can I check a drywall quote?
Ask which area the quote is based on, divide it to get their $/ft², and compare with the band above. Confirm the finish level (Level 4 is standard for painted walls), whether materials and delivery are included, and who handles texture and primer. Quotes that skip the finish level are hard to compare.
What drives drywall prices up?
Finish quality is the biggest lever — a Level 5 skim coat can add half again over standard work. Then ceiling height, number of corners and openings, board type (moisture-resistant, Type X fire-rated), and how much repair the framing needs before hanging.
How can I save money on a drywall job?
A common split is hanging the board yourself and hiring out the taping and finishing, which is where the skill shows. You can also handle delivery-day help, cleanup and priming. Whatever you DIY, price the materials first with our drywall calculator so sheet counts and compound quantities are right before anyone quotes.