Use them to plan how many sheets one person can carry, what a load weighs in a truck and how much a ceiling has to hold up. To count the sheets for a room, use the drywall calculator.
Weight by brand and thickness
The figures below are copied from each maker's submittal or data sheet. Thicker panels weigh more, and fire-rated Type X board is the heaviest, because its core is made to resist fire.
| Panel | Thickness | Published weight | 4x8 sheet, about | 4x12 sheet, about | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USG Sheetrock (regular) | 1/4 in | 1.2 lb per sq ft | 38 lb | 58 lb | USG submittal |
| USG Sheetrock (regular) | 3/8 in | 1.4 lb per sq ft | 45 lb | 67 lb | USG submittal |
| USG Sheetrock UltraLight | 1/2 in | 1.25 lb per sq ft | 40 lb | 60 lb | USG submittal |
| USG Sheetrock Firecode X (Type X) | 5/8 in | 2.2 lb per sq ft | 70 lb | 106 lb | USG submittal |
| Gold Bond (regular) | 1/4 in | 1.1 lb per sq ft | 35 lb | 53 lb | Gold Bond submittal |
| Gold Bond (regular) | 3/8 in | 1.3 lb per sq ft | 42 lb | 62 lb | Gold Bond submittal |
| Gold Bond High Strength LITE | 1/2 in | 1.3 lb per sq ft | 42 lb | 62 lb | Gold Bond submittal |
| Gold Bond EVOLVE X Fire-Shield (Type X) | 5/8 in | 1.8 lb per sq ft | 58 lb | 86 lb | Gold Bond submittal |
| CertainTeed (regular) | 1/4 in | 1.13 lb per sq ft | 36 lb | 54 lb | CertainTeed data sheet |
| CertainTeed (regular) | 3/8 in | 1.25 lb per sq ft | 40 lb | 60 lb | CertainTeed data sheet |
| CertainTeed Easi-Lite | 1/2 in | 1.2 to 1.4 lb per sq ft | 38 to 45 lb | 58 to 67 lb | CertainTeed data sheet |
| CertainTeed Type X | 5/8 in | 2.2 lb per sq ft | 70 lb | 106 lb | CertainTeed data sheet |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock (regular) | 1/4 in | 1.2 lb per sq ft | 38 lb | 58 lb | Georgia-Pacific submittal |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock (regular) | 3/8 in | 1.4 lb per sq ft | 45 lb | 67 lb | Georgia-Pacific submittal |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock (regular) | 1/2 in | 1.6 lb per sq ft | 51 lb | 77 lb | Georgia-Pacific submittal |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock Lite-Weight | 1/2 in | 1.45 lb per sq ft | 46 lb | 70 lb | Georgia-Pacific product page |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock Mold-Guard | 1/2 in | 1.7 lb per sq ft | 54 lb | 82 lb | Georgia-Pacific submittal |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock Fireguard X Mold-Guard (Type X) | 5/8 in | 2.3 lb per sq ft | 74 lb | 110 lb | Georgia-Pacific submittal |
| Georgia-Pacific ToughRock Lite-Weight Fire-Rated (Type X) | 5/8 in | 2.0 lb per sq ft | 64 lb | 96 lb | Georgia-Pacific data sheet |
Published weights are the makers' nominal figures. The sheet weights are our arithmetic, the weight per square foot times the sheet's area, rounded to the nearest pound.
What the numbers show
- Where a maker lists both, its lightweight 1/2 inch panel weighs less per square foot than its regular 1/2 inch board.
- Type X fire-rated 5/8 inch board is far heavier per sheet than lightweight board, so plan more hands or a panel lift for a fire-rated ceiling.
- A longer sheet means fewer seams but a heavier lift. Compare the two right-hand columns before you order long sheets for a job you will hang alone.
- Moisture- and mold-resistant panels can weigh more than standard board of the same thickness.
Planning a load
To weigh a full order, multiply the sheet count by the sheet weight for the panel you are buying. Compare the total with the payload on your vehicle's door sticker, not with the size of the bed.
For the joints that follow, the drywall mud calculator works out the joint compound and tape for the same area.
Common questions
How much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh?
It depends on the thickness and the product. Lightweight 1/2 inch panels are the lightest for that thickness, and fire-rated Type X panels are the heaviest; the table gives each maker's figure.
Is lightweight drywall as good as regular drywall?
Makers sell lightweight panels for the same walls and ceilings as regular board, and their data sheets list the standards each panel meets. Check the data sheet for the use you have in mind, such as a ceiling span or a fire-rated wall.
Why is fire-rated drywall heavier?
Type X board has a denser core with added glass fibers so it holds together longer in a fire. That extra material shows up as extra weight per square foot.
Using these figures
You are welcome to cite the tables on this page. Please link to this page as the source, and check the maker's current data sheet before you rely on a single figure.