Cost to Install Drywall (2026)
Hanging and finishing drywall typically costs $1.50–$3.50 per square foot installed — or about $30–$70 per sheet including the labor to hang, tape, mud, and sand. A standard 12 × 12 room lands around $580–$1,800, depending on ceiling height, finish level, and local labor rates.
Where the money goes: labor is the majority of the bill — the drywall sheets themselves are cheap (~$0.40–$0.65 per sq ft). Finishing is the skilled, time-consuming part, and a smooth Level 5 finish runs $3–$5 per square foot. Tall ceilings, lots of corners, and patching to match existing walls all add time.
Use the drywall calculator to size up exactly how many sheets you need for your walls and ceiling — plus the screws, joint compound, and tape to finish the job.
Ways to save: hang the board yourself (materials are only a fraction of the cost) and hire out just the taping if you want a crisp finish, choose a standard Level 4 finish for most rooms instead of Level 5, and use 4×12 sheets on big walls to cut down on the number of seams to tape.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install drywall?
Hanging and finishing drywall runs about $1.50–$3.50 per square foot installed, or roughly $30–$70 per sheet. A 12x12 room typically costs $580–$1,800.
How many sheets of drywall do I need?
Add your wall area (2 × (length + width) × ceiling height) plus the ceiling, add about 10% for waste, and divide by the sheet size (32 sq ft for a 4×8 sheet). The drywall calculator does it for you, plus screws, compound, and tape.
Is it cheaper to hang drywall yourself?
Yes — the sheets themselves are only about $0.40–$0.65 per square foot, so DIY hanging and finishing saves most of the $1.00–$2.70 per square foot labor cost. Taping and mudding well is the hard part.