USG lists 48-inch-wide Sheetrock Brand Gypsum Panels with multiple lengths. The project location and approved assembly—not the calculator—determine panel type and thickness.
- A 48-inch panel is 4 feet wide.
- Calculate walls and ceilings separately.
- Area quotient is a floor, not a layout guarantee.
Formula or decision boundary
area count = ceiling(net surface area ÷ selected panel width ÷ selected panel length)Panel-count sequence
| Stage | Question | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | which faces receive board? | net area |
| Product | which approved stocked size? | panel face area |
| Arithmetic | area ÷ panel area | rounded count |
| Layout | where do seams/cuts land? | revised takeoff |
Use the answer
Measure each plane
Keep ceiling and wall faces separate and subtract true openings.
Select the approved panel
Confirm type, thickness, width, length, and availability.
Lay out sheets
Review edges, openings, seams, full-length opportunities, and handling.
Safety and scope
- Use code-required assemblies and qualified advice where needed.
- Plan safe lifting and dust control.
Sources and scope
Source links reviewed July 16, 2026. A review date is not the document's publication date.
- USG: Sheetrock Brand Gypsum PanelsNorth America · manufacturer data sheet
Panel availability and code-required type vary; verify the chosen panel before purchasing.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B — Conversion FactorsUnited States · government standard
Code retains exact defining constants where NIST identifies an exact relationship.