Drywall sizes chart: sheet sizes and thicknesses
Drywall comes in a handful of standard sizes: 4 ft wide (or 54 in) in lengths from 8 to 16 ft, and four common thicknesses. This chart lists them with the square feet per sheet, what each thickness is for, and the framing spacing USG’s installation guide allows for each.
Sheet sizes and square feet per sheet
USG and National Gypsum both list standard board 48 in wide, in lengths from 8 to 16 ft, with 54 in wide board in some thicknesses for 9 ft walls. Area per sheet is just width × length:
| Sheet | Area | Metric area |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 2.97 m² |
| 4 × 9 ft | 36 sq ft | 3.34 m² |
| 4 × 10 ft | 40 sq ft | 3.72 m² |
| 4 × 12 ft | 48 sq ft | 4.46 m² |
| 4 × 14 ft | 56 sq ft | 5.20 m² |
| 4 × 16 ft | 64 sq ft | 5.95 m² |
| 54 in × 12 ft | 54 sq ft | 5.02 m² |
The square-foot figure is what every drywall estimate divides by: see how many square feet in a 4x8 sheet of drywall. For a whole room, how many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 room and how many sheets of drywall for a 10x12 room work through the layouts.
Metric sheet sizes
Outside North America, plasterboard is usually 1200 mm wide, commonly in 2400, 2700, 3000 and 3600 mm lengths, and 9.5, 12.5 or 15 mm thick. A 1200 × 2400 mm sheet is 2.88 m², slightly smaller than a 4 × 8 (2.97 m²). The drywall calculators on this site include the common metric sizes when you switch to metric.
Thicknesses and what they’re for
| Thickness | Typical uses | Weight (lb/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in (6.4 mm) | A lightweight utility board: a second layer over old walls and ceilings, sound-control base layers, and bending around tight curves. | 1.1–1.2 |
| 3/8 in (9.5 mm) | Double-layer walls over wood framing, repair and remodel work. | 1.3–1.4 |
| 1/2 in (12.7 mm) | Single-layer interior walls and ceilings in houses: the standard board. | 1.6 regular; about 1.25 lightweight |
| 5/8 in (15.9 mm), Type X | Fire-rated assemblies, garage ceilings with rooms above where code requires it (IRC R302.6), and stiffer ceilings. | 2.2 |
| 1/2 in Type C, 5/8 in Type C | Enhanced fire-rated assemblies, especially ceilings. | 1.9–2.0 and 2.3 |
Framing spacing for single-layer board (USG)
USG’s installation guide gives the maximum framing spacing for hanging its panels directly on wood framing. These are the manufacturer’s limits, not a code table:
| Board | Where | Hung | Max. spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 in | Ceiling | Across the joists | 16 in |
| 3/8 in | Wall | Either way | 16 in |
| 1/2 in | Ceiling | Along the joists | 16 in |
| 1/2 in | Ceiling | Across the joists | 24 in (16 in if a water-based texture will be sprayed on) |
| 1/2 in | Wall | Either way | 24 in |
| 5/8 in | Ceiling | Along the joists | 16 in |
| 5/8 in | Ceiling | Across the joists | 24 in |
| 5/8 in | Wall | Either way | 24 in |
| 1/2 in UltraLight | Ceiling | Either way | 24 in |
Weights for every board and size are in the drywall weight chart. The spacing limits are why ceilings are usually hung across the joists, and why 5/8 in board is the common choice on 24 in ceiling framing. A 12 × 12 ceiling laid across the joists in 4 × 12 sheets needs exactly three: how many sheets of drywall for a 12x12 ceiling.
Choosing sheet size
- 4 × 8 fits in most vehicles, through most doorways and up most stairs, and one person can manage it at 1/2 in.
- 4 × 12 halves the butt joints on 12 ft walls and ceilings, which saves taping, but weighs about 77 lb at 1/2 in regular (how much does a 4x12 sheet of drywall weigh).
- 54 in wide board covers a 9 ft wall in two horizontal rows with no strip at the bottom.
- Longer lengths (14 and 16 ft) span big rooms and garages wall to wall but usually need delivery and a crew: how many sheets of drywall for a 2 car garage.
Special boards
- Moisture- and mold-resistant board for bathrooms and laundries (not a tile backer in wet areas: use cement board or a rated tile backer behind showers).
- Abuse- and impact-resistant board for hallways, garages and rental units.
- Lightweight board in 1/2 in and 5/8 in Type X versions, which saves a fifth or more of the weight.
- Flexible 1/4 in board for curved walls and arches.
Frequently asked questions
What thickness of drywall is used for walls?
1/2 in is the standard for interior walls in houses. 5/8 in Type X is used where a fire rating is required and is common on ceilings.
What size does drywall come in?
Standard board is 4 ft wide in lengths of 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 ft, plus 54 in wide board for 9 ft walls. Metric plasterboard is usually 1200 mm wide in 2400–3600 mm lengths.
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.”
- 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.
- USG, How to Install and Finish Sheetrock Brand Gypsum Panels (J371) (opens in a new tab) — Panel coverage table; per 1,000 sq ft of panels: 2.7 lb of Type W screws (12 in on ceilings, 16 in on walls), 5.3 lb of nails, 370 ft of joint tape, about 10 gal of All Purpose or 9 gal of Plus 3 compound; First Coat primer at 400 sq ft/gal.
- 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.