Question: how to calculate how much joint compound for drywall?
Answer: As a general rule, estimate 0.053 pounds of mud per square foot of drywall. So, multiply the total number of square feet by 0.053 to determine how many pounds of compound you'll need. For example, if you are putting up 1,600 square feet of drywall, you would need: 1,600 x 0.053 = 84.8 pounds of compound.