Drywall weight chart: how much a sheet weighs
A sheet’s weight is its area times the board’s weight per square foot. Manufacturers publish that figure as a nominal weight “for design and shipping purposes”, and it ranges from about 1.1 lb per sq ft for 1/4 in board to 2.3 for 5/8 in Type C. The chart multiplies it out for the common sheet sizes and a two-sheet bundle.
Drywall weight per sheet
| Board | lb/sq ft | 4×8 | 4×10 | 4×12 | 4×16 | Bundle of two 4×8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in regular | 1.2 | 38.4 lb | 48 lb | 57.6 lb | 76.8 lb | 76.8 lb |
| 3/8 in regular | 1.4 | 44.8 lb | 56 lb | 67.2 lb | 89.6 lb | 89.6 lb |
| 1/2 in regular | 1.6 | 51.2 lb | 64 lb | 76.8 lb | 102.4 lb | 102.4 lb |
| 1/2 in lightweight | 1.25 | 40 lb | 50 lb | 60 lb | 80 lb | 80 lb |
| 1/2 in Type C fire-rated | 2 | 64 lb | 80 lb | 96 lb | 128 lb | 128 lb |
| 5/8 in Type X fire-rated | 2.2 | 70.4 lb | 88 lb | 105.6 lb | 140.8 lb | 140.8 lb |
| 5/8 in Type C fire-rated | 2.3 | 73.6 lb | 92 lb | 110.4 lb | 147.2 lb | 147.2 lb |
The two sizes people ask about most have their own pages: how much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh and how much does a 4x12 sheet of drywall weigh. The heavy fire-rated board is on how much does 5/8 drywall weigh.
Metric weights
| Board | Per m² | 1200 × 2400 mm sheet | 1200 × 3000 mm sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 in regular | 5.9 kg/m² | 16.9 kg | 21.1 kg |
| 3/8 in regular | 6.8 kg/m² | 19.7 kg | 24.6 kg |
| 1/2 in regular | 7.8 kg/m² | 22.5 kg | 28.1 kg |
| 1/2 in lightweight | 6.1 kg/m² | 17.6 kg | 22.0 kg |
| 1/2 in Type C fire-rated | 9.8 kg/m² | 28.1 kg | 35.2 kg |
| 5/8 in Type X fire-rated | 10.7 kg/m² | 30.9 kg | 38.7 kg |
| 5/8 in Type C fire-rated | 11.2 kg/m² | 32.3 kg | 40.4 kg |
Regular vs lightweight 1/2 in
Most home-center 1/2 in board is now a lightweight version. USG’s UltraLight submittal gives 1.2–1.4 lb per sq ft (its catalog lists 1.25 nominal), against 1.6 for National Gypsum’s regular Gold Bond 1/2 in. On a 4 × 8 that is about 40 lb instead of 51; on a room’s worth of 18 sheets, roughly 200 lb less to carry. Lightweight 5/8 in Type X boards are lighter than standard Type X in the same way; the maker’s submittal gives the exact figure.
Bundles, lifts and loads
- A bundle is two sheets, taped face to face. USG’s UltraLight submittal lists 2 panels per bundle; see how much does a bundle of drywall weigh.
- A lift or unit is a stack of bundles banded together for a forklift. How many sheets it holds varies by plant, thickness and length; ask the yard.
- A pickup load. Twenty sheets of 1/2 in regular 4 × 8 are about 1,024 lb. Check your vehicle’s payload before loading; many yards deliver and carry the board into the rooms.
- Floors. USG’s handling guidance asks that the floor be checked for the load where board is stacked, and limits stacks to 17 ft high.
Why weight matters on the job
- Ceilings: a 5/8 in 4 × 12 sheet is about 106 lb overhead. A panel lift turns that into a one-person job.
- Stairs and hallways: long, heavy sheets don’t turn corners; 4 × 8s may be the only practical size for upstairs rooms.
- Insulation on top of ceilings: board manufacturers limit the weight of unsupported insulation a ceiling board can carry at each joist spacing, to prevent sag.
- Garages: a 24 × 24 ft garage in 5/8 in Type X is about 28 sheets of 4 × 12, roughly 3,000 lb: how many sheets of drywall for a 2 car garage.
Sheet areas, the other half of the weight math, are in the drywall sizes chart and on how many square feet in a 4x8 sheet of drywall.
CalculatorDrywall Weight Calculator →Any board, any size, any number of sheets.Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet of 1/2 inch drywall weigh?
About 51 lb for a 4 × 8 of regular board (1.6 lb per sq ft) and about 40 lb for lightweight board (1.25). A 4 × 12 is about 77 lb regular, 60 lightweight.
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 1/4 inch drywall weigh?
About 35–38 lb: National Gypsum lists 1/4 in board at 1.1 lb per sq ft and USG at 1.2.
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.