Drywall Linear Foot Calculator
Drywall is sold in 4-foot-wide sheets of varying lengths. This calculator converts your total wall area into the number of sheets needed and the equivalent linear feet — useful for estimating material runs, corner bead, and trim.
Linear Feet for Drywall
Calculate linear feet for drywall
(Room perimeter × ceiling height) minus doors/windows
How to Calculate Drywall in Linear Feet
Contractors think in sheets, but linear feet matters for corner bead, J-bead, and L-bead trim — all of which are sold by the linear foot. Here's the calculation:
Linear Feet = Sheets × Sheet Length (ft)
Standard drywall sheets are always 4 feet wide. The length varies — 8, 9, 10, or 12 feet. The longer the sheet, the fewer butt joints, but the heavier each sheet. A 4×12 sheet weighs about 80 pounds; a 4×8 weighs about 55.
Corner Bead and Trim
Every outside corner needs corner bead, which is sold in 8- or 10-foot lengths. For a room with two 8-foot outside corners: 2 × 8 = 16 linear feet. Add J-bead where drywall meets a different material (windows, tub surrounds).
Drywall Sheet Coverage by Size
| Sheet Size | Coverage (sq ft) | Linear Ft per Sheet | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft × 8 ft | 32 | 8 | 55 lbs |
| 4 ft × 9 ft | 36 | 9 | 62 lbs |
| 4 ft × 10 ft | 40 | 10 | 68 lbs |
| 4 ft × 12 ft | 48 | 12 | 80 lbs |