Reference
Joint Compound and Tape Coverage
The coverage figures behind a finishing order, from gallons of mud per sheet to rolls of tape and pieces of bead, and how long it takes to dry.
Ready-mixed compound by finish level
| Finish level | Gallons per 1,000 sq ft | 4.5 gal pails per 1,000 sq ft | Gallons per 4 × 8 sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: tape embedded | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.08 |
| Level 2: tape and one coat | 4.2 | 0.9 | 0.13 |
| Level 3: two coats, for heavy texture | 7.0 | 1.6 | 0.22 |
| Level 4: three coats, for flat and eggshell paint | 9.4 | 2.1 | 0.30 |
| Level 5: Level 4 plus a skim coat | 14.0 | 3.1 | 0.45 |
Level 4 is USG’s published coverage for complete finishing of ready-mixed all-purpose compound, 9.4 gallons per 1,000 sq ft of board, which its FAQ rounds to about two 4.5-gallon pails. The other levels are pro-rated by the passes each one adds, and the Level 5 skim of about 0.46 gallon per 100 sq ft is our estimate. A 4.5-gallon pail at Level 4 finishes about 15 sheets of 4 × 8; the folk rule of “one bucket per 10 sheets” leaves room for waste and heavy-handed coats.
Lightweight all-purpose compound covers about the same area per gallon and comes in pails of slightly less weight. Boxes of ready-mixed compound (about 3.5 gallons) cover proportionally less than pails.
Setting-type compound
| Product | Bag | Coverage | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight setting compound (USG Easy Sand) | 18 lb | about 340 sq ft of board at full finishing | 5 to 6 qt per bag |
| Standard setting compound (USG Durabond) | 25 lb | about 340 sq ft | 5 to 6 qt per bag |
Set times are on the bag: 5, 20, 45 or 90 minutes. Mix only what can be used before it sets.
Tape and corner bead
| Item | Size | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Paper tape | 500 ft roll (250 ft also sold) | about 41 sheets of 4 × 8 at 12 ft of joint per sheet |
| Self-adhesive fibreglass mesh | 300 ft roll | about 25 sheets of 4 × 8 |
| Joint length per sheet | one long edge + one end | 4 × 8: 12 ft · 4 × 10: 14 ft · 4 × 12: 16 ft |
| Inside corners | add their height | every inside corner and wall-ceiling angle |
| Corner bead | 8, 9 and 10 ft pieces | one piece per outside corner, cut to height; returns by total length |
Drying: the humidity limit by temperature
| Room temperature | Highest humidity for drying within 24 hours | Our estimate for a normal coat at 50% humidity |
|---|---|---|
| 50 °F (10 °C) | 23% | about 37 h |
| 55 °F (13 °C) | 37% | about 30 h |
| 60 °F (16 °C) | 50% | about 24 h |
| 65 °F (18 °C) | 59% | about 20 h |
| 70 °F (21 °C) | 67% | about 16 h |
| 75 °F (24 °C) | 71% | about 14 h |
| 80 °F (27 °C) | 76% | about 12 h |
The humidity limits are from USG’s bulletin on finishing in cold and humid conditions (J850); USG puts drying at about 24 hours at 70 °F and 70% humidity, and requires 55 °F or warmer while finishing and until the work is dry. The hours in the last column are the site’s model for a normal coat in some air movement; thick fills take about twice as long.
Sources
USG product data and FAQ (ready-mixed coverage, setting compound coverage and water, tape roll lengths); USG technical bulletin J850 (drying limits); Gypsum Association GA-214 (levels of finish) and GA-236 (finishing temperature). Pro-rated levels, the Level 5 skim and drying hours are the site’s estimates and are labelled so on each calculator.
Calculators that use this table
- The joint compound calculator, the drywall tape calculator and the corner bead calculator.
- The finish level planner, the skim coat calculator and the setting compound mixing calculator.
- The drying time calculator, the project schedule and the finish level selector.
- The square feet to sheets converter and the partition wall materials calculator.
The guides to joint compound types and coverage, paper vs mesh tape and drying times between coats explain the figures.