Craft Quantities
Plan & Takeoffs

Job takeoff

Drywall ceiling takeoff

Boards, screws, tape, compound and control joints for a flat plasterboard ceiling from the room's two dimensions.

A takeoff is the trade word for the shopping list a job produces — every material, and how much of each, worked out by its own cited calculator.

  • 2Measurements in
  • 5Trades out

Give the job once

Every figure on the right follows these, in the units you choose.

Been given a quote for this job?

Paste it into the drywall ceiling quote check: each line is read against these same calculators — what it leaves out, what it adds, and what to ask.

Check the quote

Every trade, from those dimensions

5 of 5 trades chosenNot pricedNot in project

then change a dimension, and each line shows what moved.

TradeQuantity
Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet CalculatorSheets for the ceiling at the default sheet size and waste allowance.
Base
16 sheets
Waste allowance
+2 sheets · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
18 sheets
Order
18 sheets, already whole
Why this quantity?
  1. Base quantity16 sheetscalculatorCeiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator v1.1.1, headline with the waste allowance at 0%
  2. Waste allowance2 sheetsworked outthe adjusted figure less the base, at 10% (the calculator's working figure, a trade convention)
  3. Adjusted quantity18 sheetscalculatorCeiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator v1.1.1, headline with the waste allowance at 10%
  4. Order quantity18 sheetsworked out18 sheets, already whole

Resting on

  • Ceiling length (longer side)39 ftgivenyour ceiling length (longer side)
  • Ceiling width (shorter side)13 ftgivenyour ceiling width (shorter side)
  • Sheet Area32 sq ftassumedthe Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator's default
  • Waste Allowance (%)10%assumedthe Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator's default

The waste allowance: the calculator's working figure, a trade convention.

Change any other figure on the Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator

18 sheets
Drywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule)Screws at the ceiling schedule, which is tighter than a wall's.
Base
529 screws
Allowance
+0 screws · none added
Adjusted
529 screws
Order
529 screws, already whole
Why this quantity?
  1. Base quantity529 screwscalculatorDrywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule) v1.0.1, headline
  2. Allowance0 screwsworked outnone: the calculator adds no allowance, and none was added
  3. Adjusted quantity529 screwsworked outthe base plus the allowance
  4. Order quantity529 screwsworked out529 screws, already whole

Resting on

  • Ceiling length (longer side)39 ftgivenyour ceiling length (longer side)
  • Ceiling width (shorter side)13 ftgivenyour ceiling width (shorter side)
  • Screw Spacing (Grid, Each Direction)11.75 inassumedthe Drywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule)'s default

Change any other figure on the Drywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule)

529 screws
Drywall Joint Compound CalculatorCompound for taping and filling the whole ceiling.
Base
2 x 4.5 gal boxes
Pan and sanding loss
+0 x 4.5 gal boxes · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
2 x 4.5 gal boxes
Order
2 x 4.5 gal boxes, already whole
Why this quantity?
  1. Base quantity2 x 4.5 gal boxescalculatorDrywall Joint Compound Calculator v1.1.0, headline with the pan and sanding loss at 0%
  2. Pan and sanding loss0 x 4.5 gal boxesworked outthe adjusted figure less the base, at 10% (the calculator's working figure, a trade convention)
  3. Adjusted quantity2 x 4.5 gal boxescalculatorDrywall Joint Compound Calculator v1.1.0, headline with the pan and sanding loss at 10%
  4. Order quantity2 x 4.5 gal boxesworked out2 x 4.5 gal boxes, already whole

Resting on

  • Ceiling length (longer side)39 ftgivenyour ceiling length (longer side)
  • Ceiling width (shorter side)13 ftgivenyour ceiling width (shorter side)
  • Pan and Sanding Loss (%)10%assumedthe Drywall Joint Compound Calculator's default

The pan and sanding loss: the calculator's working figure, a trade convention.

Change any other figure on the Drywall Joint Compound Calculator

2 x 4.5 gal boxes
Drywall Joint Tape CalculatorTape for the board joints and the wall-to-ceiling angle, bedded in the first coat of compound.
Base
297.17 ft
Waste allowance
+29.72 ft · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
326.88 ft
Order
326.88 ft (no pack size recorded)
Why this quantity?
  1. Base quantity297.17 ftcalculatorDrywall Joint Tape Calculator v1.1.0, headline with the waste allowance at 0%
  2. Waste allowance29.72 ftworked outthe adjusted figure less the base, at 10% (the calculator's working figure, a trade convention)
  3. Adjusted quantity326.88 ftcalculatorDrywall Joint Tape Calculator v1.1.0, headline with the waste allowance at 10%
  4. Order quantity326.88 ftworked out326.88 ft (no pack size recorded)

Resting on

  • Ceiling length (longer side)39 ftgivenyour ceiling length (longer side)
  • Ceiling width (shorter side)13 ftgivenyour ceiling width (shorter side)
  • Board length: 2.4 m / 8 ftassumedthe Drywall Joint Tape Calculator's default
  • Waste Allowance (%)10%assumedthe Drywall Joint Tape Calculator's default

The waste allowance: the calculator's working figure, a trade convention.

Change any other figure on the Drywall Joint Tape Calculator

326.88 ft
Ceiling control joints across the lengthDrywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing CalculatorWhether the length — the longer side — needs a break, and how many. Each of these joints runs across the ceiling, the width's distance.
Base
1 control joint
Allowance
+0 control joints · none added
Adjusted
1 control joint
Order
1 control joint, already whole
Why this quantity?
  1. Base quantity1 control jointcalculatorDrywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing Calculator v1.0.1, headline
  2. Allowance0 control jointsworked outnone: the calculator adds no allowance, and none was added
  3. Adjusted quantity1 control jointworked outthe base plus the allowance
  4. Order quantity1 control jointworked out1 control joint, already whole

Resting on

  • Ceiling length (longer side)39 ftgivenyour ceiling length (longer side)
  • Maximum Unbroken Span (Manufacturer-Specified, Commonly 9m/30ft)30 ftassumedthe Drywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing Calculator's default

Change any other figure on the Drywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing Calculator

1 control joint
Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet CalculatorSheets for the ceiling at the default sheet size and waste allowance.
Base
17 sheets
Waste allowance
+2 sheets · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
19 sheets
Order
19 sheets, already whole
Why this quantity?
19 sheets
Drywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule)Screws at the ceiling schedule, which is tighter than a wall's.
Base
534 screws
Allowance
+0 screws · none added
Adjusted
534 screws
Order
534 screws, already whole
Why this quantity?
534 screws
Drywall Joint Compound CalculatorCompound for taping and filling the whole ceiling.
Base
28.92 kg
Pan and sanding loss
+2.89 kg · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
31.81 kg
Order
31.81 kg (no pack size recorded)
Why this quantity?
31.81 kg
Drywall Joint Tape CalculatorTape for the board joints and the wall-to-ceiling angle, bedded in the first coat of compound.
Base
92 m
Waste allowance
+9.2 m · 10%, trade convention
Adjusted
101.2 m
Order
101.2 m (no pack size recorded)
Why this quantity?
101.2 m
Ceiling control joints across the lengthDrywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing CalculatorWhether the length — the longer side — needs a break, and how many. Each of these joints runs across the ceiling, the width's distance.
Base
1 control joint
Allowance
+0 control joints · none added
Adjusted
1 control joint
Order
1 control joint, already whole
Why this quantity?
1 control joint

Estimates, not a quote. Each row gives its base, the allowance on top, the adjusted figure and what to order; change an allowance on the row, or open its reasoning to see every figure it rests on. A trade's own page carries what it does not cover — open the one you are about to order against.

Labour and programme

Person-hours for the rows going in, from trade rules of thumb: a range for each piece of work, never a price.

  • Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet5.8 h (3.2–11)
  • Drywall Joint Compound7.5 h (4.2–15)

About 13 person-hours in the rows that carry them, between 7.5 and 26.

Trade by trade

  1. Drywaller1 drywaller + 1 labourerhalf a day
  2. Taper1 taper + 1 labourerhalf a day

About 1 day, one trade after another at eight hours a day. Left out: drying and curing, deliveries, inspections, trades overlapping.

3 rows carry no hours of their own
  • Drywall Ceiling Screw Count (Fastening Schedule): counted with Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet
  • Drywall Joint Tape: counted with Drywall Joint Compound
  • Ceiling control joints across the length: no rate for its work here yet

Labour and programme

Person-hours for the rows going in, from trade rules of thumb: a range for each piece of work, never a price.

  • Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet6.1 h (3.4–11)
  • Drywall Joint Compound7.7 h (4.3–15)

About 14 person-hours in the rows that carry them, between 7.7 and 27.

Trade by trade

  1. Drywaller1 drywaller + 1 labourerhalf a day
  2. Taper1 taper + 1 labourerhalf a day

About 1 day, one trade after another at eight hours a day. Left out: drying and curing, deliveries, inspections, trades overlapping.

3 rows carry no hours of their own
  • Drywall Ceiling Screw Count (Fastening Schedule): counted with Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet
  • Drywall Joint Tape: counted with Drywall Joint Compound
  • Ceiling control joints across the length: no rate for its work here yet

Setups you have saved

The build-up, the dimensions and any allowance you changed — kept on this device, and reusable on any job. Your prices are not copied in: they stay in your price book, so a setup never holds a stale one.

How far does a budget go?

At your own prices, with this build-up unchanged.

About this job

A ceiling is the same material as a wall and a different job in every other respect. The board goes up over your head, which is why the screw schedule is tighter than a wall's and why the sheet size you can actually handle matters more than the sheet size that covers the area in fewest pieces. Two people can place a 2400 × 1200 (8 × 4 ft) sheet on a ceiling; one person cannot, and the quantity that assumes they can is the quantity that gets cut into halves on site with the waste that implies.

The control joint is the row people are surprised by. A ceiling that runs past about nine metres (30 ft) in either direction needs a break in the board, not because the board fails but because the building moves and the crack goes where nothing stopped it. It is a length of trim and twenty minutes, set against a plasterboard ceiling that has to be skimmed again a year later.

How each line reads

Base
What the calculator gives for these dimensions, before anything is added.
Allowance
Cutting waste, a lap or spare stock — named, with where it comes from, and changeable on the row.
Adjusted
The base with its allowance on top.
Order
What to buy: the adjusted figure in whole boards, bags, rolls or lengths.

The order this happens in

Quantities do not tell you the sequence, and on this job the sequence is where the money goes wrong.

  1. Check the joists are level and packed where they are not — a ceiling telegraphs every high spot.
  2. Mark the joist centres on the walls before the first sheet hides them.
  3. Board perpendicular to the joists, starting from one wall and staggering the ends.
  4. Fix at the schedule spacing, not by eye; a missed screw line shows as a sag in raking light.
  5. Set control joints where the run demands one, before taping rather than after.
  6. Tape and fill, then check with a light held flat to the surface.

What this takeoff does not cover

  • The framing above it. Joist size, spacing and whether the ceiling is carrying a floor are structural questions that a ceiling area cannot answer.
  • Insulation and any acoustic or fire-rated build-up, both of which change the board layers and the fixings.
  • Access hatches, downlight cutouts and anything else that makes a hole — each one takes board away and adds cutting time.
  • Skimming, if you are finishing in plaster rather than tape and joint compound; that is a different material and a different trade.

Quote check

Been given a quote for this job?

Paste it into the drywall ceiling quote check. Every line of it is read against these same calculators and your measurements. Quantities only, never prices.

Check the quoteEvery quote check

  • What it leaves out

    Every line this takeoff has that nothing on the quote reads as.

  • What it adds

    Labour, removal, hire, fees — each named for what it is.

  • What to ask

    One list of questions, ready to copy. Never a verdict.

More takeoffs

Other job takeoffs

All job takeoffs

Frequently asked questions

What does the drywall ceiling takeoff give for a typical job?
Opened at Ceiling length (longer side) 12 m · Ceiling width (shorter side) 4 m, it orders: Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet, 19 sheets; Drywall Ceiling Screw Count (Fastening Schedule), 534 screws; Drywall Joint Compound, 31.8 kg; Drywall Joint Tape, 101 m; Ceiling control joints across the length, 1 control joint. Opened at Ceiling length (longer side) 39 ft · Ceiling width (shorter side) 13 ft: Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet, 18 sheets; Drywall Ceiling Screw Count (Fastening Schedule), 529 screws; Drywall Joint Compound, 2 x 4.5 gal boxes; Drywall Joint Tape, 327 ft; Ceiling control joints across the length, 1 control joint. Every figure follows the dimensions you give it.
Which calculators does the drywall ceiling takeoff run?
5 calculators, one to a line: Ceiling Plasterboard (Gypsum Board) Sheet Calculator, Drywall Ceiling Screw Count Calculator (Fastening Schedule), Drywall Joint Compound Calculator, Drywall Joint Tape Calculator, Drywall Ceiling Control Joint Spacing Calculator. Each has a page of its own with its formula and its sources; the takeoff runs them all on one set of dimensions.
What does the drywall ceiling takeoff leave out?
4 things, each named on this page: The framing above it; Insulation and any acoustic or fire-rated build-up, both of which change the board layers and the fixings; Access hatches, downlight cutouts and anything else that makes a hole; Skimming, if you are finishing in plaster rather than tape and joint compound; that is a different material and a different trade.
Can I check a quote for this job against the takeoff?
Yes. The drywall ceiling quote check reads a quote's lines against these same calculators and your measurements, and reports what it leaves out, what it adds and what to ask. It reads quantities, never prices.