Drywall weight calculator
Pick the board and sheet size and how many sheets. Weights are the manufacturers’ nominal figures per square foot, multiplied out; they say these are approximate, for design and shipping.
Enter your measurements
- Area per sheet
- 32 sq ft
- Weight per area
- 1.6 lb/sq ft
4×8: 32 sq ft × 1.6 lb/sq ft = 51.2 lb per sheet
- Weight figure: National Gypsum Gold Bond 1/2 in regular. Manufacturers give these as approximate, for design and shipping; damp board weighs more.
- Check what your vehicle and its tires are rated to carry before loading; yards deliver and stock board for a reason.
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh | 51.2 lb (1/2 in regular; 40 lb lightweight) |
| How much does a 4x12 sheet of drywall weigh | 76.8 lb (1/2 in regular; 60 lb lightweight) |
| How much does 5/8 drywall weigh | 70.4 lb per 4×8 sheet (Type X) |
| How much does a bundle of drywall weigh | 2 sheets: 102 lb (1/2 in 4×8) |
| How many square feet in a 4x8 sheet of drywall | 32 sq ft |
Weight per sheet by board (same size)
| Board | Weight per sheet |
|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 38.4 lb |
| 3/8 in | 44.8 lb |
| 1/2 in | 51.2 lb |
| 1/2 in lightweight | 40 lb |
| 1/2 in Type C | 64 lb |
| 5/8 in Type X | 70.4 lb |
| 5/8 in Type C | 73.6 lb |
Each board type is listed with its nominal weight per square foot from the manufacturer; the sheet weight is that figure times the sheet’s area. New to this? Drywall words explained.
Drywall weights by thickness
| Board | lb per sq ft | 4 × 8 sheet | 4 × 12 sheet | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in regular | 1.1–1.2 | 35–38 lb | 53–58 lb | National Gypsum 1.1; USG 1.2 |
| 3/8 in regular | 1.3–1.4 | 42–45 lb | 62–67 lb | National Gypsum 1.3; USG 1.4 |
| 1/2 in regular | 1.6 | 51 lb | 77 lb | National Gypsum Gold Bond |
| 1/2 in lightweight | 1.25 (1.2–1.4) | 40 lb | 60 lb | USG Sheetrock UltraLight |
| 1/2 in Type C | 1.9–2.0 | 61–64 lb | 91–96 lb | National Gypsum 1.9; USG 2.0 |
| 5/8 in Type X | 2.2 | 70 lb | 106 lb | USG Firecode X; National Gypsum Fire-Shield |
| 5/8 in Type C | 2.3 | 74 lb | 110 lb | National Gypsum Fire-Shield C |
sheet weight = width × length × weight per sq ft 4 × 8 = 32 sq ft · 4 × 12 = 48 sq ft · 1 lb/sq ft ≈ 4.88 kg/m²
Worked examples
- How much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh: 51 lb at 1/2 in, 40 lb lightweight.
- How much does a 4x12 sheet of drywall weigh: 77 lb at 1/2 in.
- How much does 5/8 drywall weigh: 70 lb for a 4 × 8 of Type X.
- How much does a bundle of drywall weigh: two sheets per bundle.
- How many square feet in a 4x8 sheet of drywall: 32, and the other sizes.
Bundles, lifts and getting it home
Drywall leaves the plant taped face to face in pairs: USG’s UltraLight submittal lists 2 panels per bundle. How many bundles make a lift or a delivery unit varies by plant, thickness and length, so ask the yard. A load is easy to underestimate: twenty sheets of 1/2 in 4 × 8 is over 1,000 lb, more than many half-ton pickups are rated to carry. Most suppliers will deliver and carry the board into the rooms where it will be hung.
What you’ll need
- Drywall panel liftPremium price
Holds a full sheet against the ceiling while you screw it off. For one person hanging a ceiling, it’s close to essential.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Drywall T-square (48 in)Budget price
Scores a full-width sheet square in one pass. USG’s tool list includes a 4 ft straightedge or T-square.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - 25 ft tape measureBudget price
Measuring rooms, openings and sheets. A wide, stiff blade reaches across a ceiling without buckling.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 drywall weigh?
About 51 lb for regular board at 1.6 lb per sq ft (National Gypsum), or about 40 lb for lightweight board such as USG UltraLight at 1.25. See how much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh.
How much does 5/8 drywall weigh?
About 2.2 lb per sq ft for 5/8 in Type X: 70 lb for a 4 × 8 and 106 lb for a 4 × 12. See how much does 5/8 drywall weigh.
How many sheets of drywall are in a bundle?
Two. Sheets are bundled face to face in pairs; USG’s UltraLight submittal lists 2 panels per bundle. See how much does a bundle of drywall weigh.
How much does a sheet of drywall weigh in kg?
A 1200 × 2400 mm sheet (2.88 m²) of 12.7 mm regular board at about 7.8 kg/m² weighs about 22.5 kg; lightweight board about 17.6 kg. Switch the calculator to metric for other sizes.
Related guides
Sources
- USG, Wallboard catalog (WB2816) (opens in a new tab) — Approximate weights for design and shipping: 1/4 in 1.2, 3/8 in 1.4, 1/2 in UltraLight 1.25, 1/2 in Firecode C 2.0, 5/8 in Firecode X 2.2 lb/sq ft; 48 and 54 in widths. Moisture- and mold-resistant (Mold Tough) panels: “when risk of moisture exposure is present, choose products and systems that offer adequate resistance against mold growth.”
- USG, Sheetrock Brand UltraLight Panels submittal sheet (09250) (opens in a new tab) — 1/2 in panels, 48 in wide in 8–16 ft lengths; 1.2–1.4 lb/sq ft; 2 panels per bundle.
- National Gypsum, Gold Bond Brand Gypsum Board submittal (opens in a new tab) — Nominal weights 1/4 in 1.1, 3/8 in 1.3, 1/2 in 1.6 lb/sq ft; 4 ft wide, 8–16 ft long.
- National Gypsum, Gold Bond Brand Fire-Shield Gypsum Board technical information (opens in a new tab) — Nominal weights: 1/2 in Fire-Shield C 1.9, 5/8 in Fire-Shield (Type X) 2.2, 5/8 in Fire-Shield C 2.3 lb/sq ft.