How much does a 4×8 sheet of drywall weigh?
A 4 × 8 sheet of 1/2 in regular drywall weighs about 51.2 pounds (23.2 kilograms): 32 square feet at 1.6 pounds per square foot. Lightweight 1/2 in board is about 40 pounds.
How to work it out
- 4×8: 32 sq ft × 1.6 lb/sq ft = 51.2 lb per sheet
The 4 × 8 sheet of 1/2 in board is the standard unit of drywall, and its weight depends more on which 1/2 in board it is than on anything else. Regular board is about 51 lb; the lightweight boards that are now common on store shelves are about 40.
Adjust for your project
- Area per sheet
- 32 sq ft
- Weight per area
- 1.6 lb/sq ft
- 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.
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 |
What a 4×8 sheet weighs, by board
- 1/2 in regular: 51.2 lb. 32 sq ft × 1.6 lb per sq ft, National Gypsum’s nominal weight for its Gold Bond 1/2 in board.
- 1/2 in lightweight: 40 lb. USG’s UltraLight is 1.25 lb per sq ft nominal, 1.2–1.4 on its submittal sheet: 38–45 lb a sheet.
- 3/8 in: 42–45 lb. 1/4 in: 35–38 lb. Thin boards for curves, overlays and repairs.
- 5/8 in Type X: 70.4 lb. See how much does 5/8 drywall weigh.
Two sheets, one bundle, are about 102 lb of regular board, and that is how they come off the rack: how much does a bundle of drywall weigh. A room’s worth adds up fast. The 18 sheets for a 12 × 12 room are about 920 lb at 1/2 in regular: how many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 room.
Carry sheets on edge between two people, or with a panel carrier. They are fragile across their width: carried flat by one end, a sheet can snap under its own weight.
Different size? Use the full Drywall Weight Calculator.
What you’ll need
- 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) - 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) - 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 lightweight drywall weigh?
About 40 pounds at 1.25 pounds per square foot (USG UltraLight).
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 3/8 drywall weigh?
About 44.8 pounds at 1.4 pounds per square foot (USG).
How much does 10 sheets of 4x8 drywall weigh?
About 512 pounds for ten sheets of 1/2 in regular board.
Other common sizes
- 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
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.