How much does 5/8 drywall weigh?
5/8 in Type X drywall weighs about 2.2 pounds per square foot, so a 4 × 8 sheet is about 70.4 pounds (31.9 kilograms) and a 4 × 12 about 106 pounds.
How to work it out
- 4×8: 32 sq ft × 2.2 lb/sq ft = 70.4 lb per sheet
Five-eighths board is the heavy one: fire-rated Type X for garages, ceilings and rated walls, and the stiff board many installers prefer on ceilings. USG and National Gypsum both list their 5/8 in Type X at 2.2 lb per sq ft.
Adjust for your project
- Area per sheet
- 32 sq ft
- Weight per area
- 2.2 lb/sq ft
- Weight figure: USG Firecode X and National Gypsum Fire-Shield 5/8 in. Manufacturers give these as approximate, for design and shipping; damp board weighs more.
- Fire-rated board is heavy. Plan two people per sheet, and a panel lift for ceilings.
- 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 5/8 drywall weighs
- 4 × 8: 70.4 lb. 32 sq ft × 2.2.
- 4 × 10: 88 lb. 4 × 12: 105.6 lb.
- 5/8 in Type C: 2.3 lb per sq ft (National Gypsum Fire-Shield C): 73.6 lb per 4 × 8.
- Lightweight 5/8 in Type X boards exist and are noticeably lighter; check the maker’s submittal for the exact figure.
At 70 lb a 4 × 8, a ceiling of 5/8 board is a job for a panel lift. The weight also matters for the framing and for what you carry up stairs: a two-car garage’s 28 sheets of 4 × 12 in 5/8 in Type X are about 3,000 lb.
Where 5/8 in Type X is required is set by your building code: under the IRC (R302.6) it goes on a garage ceiling with habitable rooms above, while the garage side of a shared wall needs at least 1/2 in gypsum board. Local codes amend this, so ask your building department. The 1/2 in weights are on how much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh; the garage board count is on how many sheets of drywall for a 2 car garage.
Different size? Use the full Drywall Weight Calculator.
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 screw gunMid-range price
Sets each screw just below the surface without tearing the paper, which a regular drill makes hard to do consistently.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Coarse-thread drywall screws (1¼ in)Budget price
The 1¼ in Type W bugle-head screw is what USG lists for single-layer 1/2 in panels on wood framing.
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 4x12 sheet of 5/8 drywall weigh?
About 105.6 pounds at 2.2 pounds per square foot.
How much does 5/8 Type C drywall weigh?
About 73.6 pounds for a 4 × 8 at 2.3 pounds per square foot.
Other common sizes
- 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 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.