When hanging drywall, you must know how much drywall mud you need. Otherwise, you may end up with too little and unable to complete the project. So knowing how to calculate the amount of required mud might actually be very crucial.
The general rule is to multiply 0.053 lbs. of drywall mud per square foot by the total surface of the area. This would mean a room with dimensions of 12 by 20 feet would have a total of 240, which would then be multiplied by 0.053 lbs. which in turn makes a total of 12.72 lbs.
It may sound a little scary because how on earth would you be able to calculate something like that? Well, luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
How Much Drywall Mud Do I Need Per Sheet?
Well, the amount of drywall mud you should use per sheet depends upon several factors, including the size of your drywall sheet, its quality, thickness, the type of Drywall mud, and much more. Lastly, the type of mud you’re using also plays a role, such as plaster of pairs or regular Drywall compound, because they are both very different.
However, as a general rule, it’s best to get 0.053 lbs. of drywall mud per square foot.
Drywall is one of the most popular wall-covering materials out there. This is because it is available in various types, sizes, and weights, making it perfect for almost everyone. Some of the popular types of drywall sheets include:
- Regular Drywall
- green board
- blue board
- purple board
- Cement Board
- Type X Drywall
Each and every one of these variations has its own pros and cons. While regular drywall is perfect for those with a limited budget, it’s not always suited for certain areas such as a bathroom, basements, or near a fireplace. For example, Type X Drywall offers one-hour fire resistance, protecting your home from fire hazards.
All of these variations have one thing in common; they all require drywall mud to get installed. As no two drywall types are the same, the amount of joint compound used on these sheets also varies! Here’s a detailed chart explaining how much drywall mud you need based on the drywall sheet and its size:
Total Area(Square Foot) | Drywall Panels Needed | Required Drywall Mud(Pounds) | ||
4’x8′ | 4’x10′ | 4’x12′ | ||
100 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12-14 lbs. |
500 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 62-70 lbs. |
800 | 25 | 20 | 17 | 98-112 lbs. |
1000 | 32 | 25 | 21 | 123-140 lbs. |
1200 | 38 | 30 | 25 | 148-168 lbs. |
1500 | 47 | 38 | 32 | 184-210 lbs. |
How do you calculate it?
Fortunately, you can calculate the required drywall mud on your own. for this approach, all you need to do is keep the general rule in mind; use 0.053 lbs. of drywall mud per square foot. So, to calculate the required drywall mud, you need first to find out the square footage of the area of your home.
Estimate Square Footage for Drywall Mud
Before you invest your money into drywall mud, you need to calculate the square footage area of your home. To measure the area of an entire house, you’ll need to find out the length and the width of each room.
Once you measure the length and width of a room, multiple both numbers to get the area of that room and do the same for other rooms. Afterward, add all the measurements to get your entire house’s square footage area.
Calculation:
Let’s assume your room’s dimensions are 12 by 20 feet. In that scenario, multiple both numbers and the square footage area of your room will be 240. Afterward, calculate the area of other rooms and add the numbers together to get the final result!
Calculate Drywall Mud
Once you find out the square footage area, you must multiply it by 0.053 lbs. So, for 240 square foot rooms, the required drywall mud will be:
240×0.053=12.72 lbs.
If you want to know how much Drywall mud you need per sheet, you must multiply the sheet’s size by 0.053 lbs. Generally speaking, the drywall sheets come with dimensions of 4×8. This means they have 32 square foot area.
So, the required drywall mud quantity per drywall sheet will be:
32×0.053=1.692 lbs.
Here are some general calculations that might help you determine how much drywall mud you need:
- You’ll need 53 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 1000
- You’ll need 63.6 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 1200
- You’ll need 84.8 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 1600
- You’ll need 106 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 2000
- You’ll need 127.2 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 2400
- You’ll need 159 lbs. of drywall mud to cover a square footage area of 3000
What Is The Cost of Drywall Mud?
The actual cost of drywall mud depends upon numerous factors, including the brand, quality, fire-rated, and much more. On average, drywall mud and tape costs can fall between $0.35 to $1.10 unless you decide not to use tape. You can deduct that cost.
Usually, the cost of drywall mud is included in the finishing. So, the actual cost might depend upon your project as well. Here’s the average cost of finishing drywall based on different projects:
Project | Average Cost |
5×8 Bathroom | $300-$1,000 |
20×20 Garage | $1,000-$4,000 |
16×20 Living Room | $850-$3,000 |
1000 SF Basement | $1,500-$6,500 |
1500 SF Whole House | $5,500-$25,000 |
FAQs:
How Much Drywall Mud Do I Need for 100 Sheets of Drywall?
Well, it depends upon the size and type of your drywall. If you are investing your money into regular drywall sheets with dimensions of 4×8, you’ll need 169.2 lbs. of drywall mud to cover 100 sheets of drywall.
32×0.053=1.692 lbs. per sheet
1.692×100=169.2 lbs. per 100 sheets
Remember that not all drywall sheets come in 4 by 8 dimensions. So, don’t forget to check the size of your selected drywall before buying drywall mud.
Do You Mud the Entire Sheet of Drywall?
The answer to this question depends upon the flatness of your wall. Remember that you’ll need to use more drywall mud to flatten the uneven seams. For better results, it is recommended to mud the entire sheet of drywall. With this approach, you’ll be able to get an even and smooth finish.
While applying drywall mud, first put a layer of mud onto the bare wall. This will hold the drywall tape. Once you apply the drywall tape, you can almost immediately put the other layer of drywall mud and scrape it.
Is It Necessary to Sand Between Coats of Drywall Mud?
Well, it depends upon the builder. While some contractors like to sand between coats of drywall mud, others simply avoid it. Instead of sanding, it’s best to scrape a little bit between coats to get a smooth finish.
How Many Sq Ft Does a Box of Joint Compound Cover?
Keep in mind that no two suppliers are the same, and the same goes for their products. If you have a 1 gallon of joint compound, you can easily cover 50-150 square feet of area. However, it is recommended to keep the general rule in mind; get 0.053 lbs. of joint compound per square foot of area.
So, if you are drywalling 1200 square feet of area, you can simply get 63.6 pounds of drywall, and you’ll be good to go!