There are various types, thicknesses, and sizes of drywall available. The weight of a single sheet of drywall is primarily determined by its size and thickness.

Standard drywall of size 4’ x 10’ by ½’ weighs about 64 pounds while a 4’ x 12’ by ½’ drywall weighs about 77 pounds. As the size and thickness increase, so does the weight.

Other factors that contribute to the weight of drywall are the brand and type such as fireproof and water-resistant drywall which have a different composition.

Sheet sizeWeight
1/4” per square foot1.2lbs
3/8” per square foot1.4lbs
1/2” per square foot1.6lbs
5/8” per square foot2.2lbs

Drywall weight by sq foot?

The following table provides you with different drywall weights per square foot and drywall thickness.

Sheet sizeWeight
1/4” per square foot1.2lbs
3/8” per square foot1.4lbs
1/2” per square foot1.6lbs
5/8” per square foot2.2lbs

How much does a standard 4 x 8 sheet of drywall weigh?

A standard 4’ x 8’ by ½’ drywall weighs approximately 51.2 pounds while the same drywall size of ¼’, 3/8’, and 5/8’ weighs around 38.4lbs, 44.8lbs, and 70.4lbs, respectively. This difference in weight is because of the different thicknesses.

It is essential to know the different weights and thicknesses to determine where you will install them. For instance, the 5/8’ drywall is best for ceilings because it is thick and will not sag afterward.

Drywall weight for different sizes two workers

How much does a 4 x 10 sheet of drywall weigh?

A 4’ x 10’ sheet of drywall comes in different weights depending on its thickness. A ¼-inch drywall weighs about 48 pounds, while a 3/8-inch drywall weighs in the vicinity of 56 pounds. ½-inch drywall, which is the standard thickness, weighs about 64 pounds, and the thickest sheet of 5/8 inches weighs approximately 88 pounds.

Lightweight drywall of the same size with thicknesses of ½ inches and 5/8 inches weigh about 50 and 70 pounds, respectively. Lightweight drywall is much lighter than standard drywall and is preferred by most DIYers.

How much does a 4 x 12 sheet of drywall weigh?

4’ x 12’ drywall is larger, thus weighing more than the 4’ x 8’ and 4’ x 10’ sheets. On average, a 4’ x 12’ drywall of ½ inches weighs approximately 76.8 pounds. A 5/8’ drywall of the same size weighs around 105.6 pounds, while the ¼’ and 3/8’ sheets weigh about 57.6 and 67.2, respectively.

Drywall weight for different sizes

Drywall is engineered in various thicknesses and sizes, and they all weigh differently. The following are estimated weights for different drywall thicknesses.

How much does a sheet of drywall weigh
  • 1/4 inches

The ¼’ standard drywall weighs approximately 1.2 pounds per square foot. The weight differs for different sizes. For instance, a 4’ x 8’ drywall sheet weighs around 38.4 pounds, while a larger sheet of 4’ x 14’ weighs in the vicinity of 67.2 pounds.
So, the weight of the drywall increases as the size increases. Larger drywall sheets are, however, challenging to work with and should be installed by professional installers.

  • 3/8 inches

The 3/8’ standard drywall is thicker than the ¼’ one. This drywall weighs around 1.4 pounds per square foot. Different lengths of the 3/8’ drywall will weigh differently. For example, 8, 10, 12, and 14 feet long sheets will all have different weights of 44.8, 56, 67.2, and 78.4 pounds, respectively.

You can choose the size of the panel you want, depending on your preference. Larger sheets tend to be cheaper to install because the cost per square foot becomes lower. It is advisable to ask your contractor to use large sheets for your walls to lower the installation cost and time.

  • 1/2 inches

The ½’ drywall is the standard thickness used for walls and ceilings. It is thicker than the ¼’ and 3/8’ sheets, making it a better choice for durability and DIY projects. This drywall weighs around 1.6 pounds per square foot and the weight increases as the size increases. A 14-foot-long panel weighs about 90 pounds, while an 8 feet long sheet weighs about 51.2 pounds.

  • 5/8 inches

This drywall weighs about 2.2 pounds per foot. A panel of 8 feet long weighs about 70. 4 pounds, while a larger sheet of 14 feet long weighs around 123.2 pounds.
5/8 inches is the thickest drywall available in the market. This drywall is used for fire-rating installations for both commercial and residential buildings. It is also an excellent option for ceilings because of their thickness. If you want a durable home, this is the best thickness to use for your walls and ceilings. However, it becomes a bit challenging to cut and install due to its size, which means you should hire professional drywall contractors to install it for you.

How much does lightweight drywall weigh?

One sheet of 4’ x 8’ by ½’ lightweight drywall weighs approximately 40 pounds while a 4’ x 8’ by 5/8’ drywall weighs around 53 pounds per sheet. Lightweight drywall is slightly lighter than standard drywall, and it is best for DIY projects. So, if you plan to DIY drywall installation, consider working with lightweight drywall because the sheets are lighter and easier to move, lift and install.

What can affect drywall weight?

There are various factors that affect the weight of drywall. These include:

Types

Drywall is available in different types: standard drywall, fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, soundproof, and paperless drywall, among others. Fireproof drywall is used for fire coding and it usually weighs more than standard drywall. Also, water-resistant drywall will weigh more than standard drywall because of the thicker sheets used.

Sizes

Different drywall sizes will weigh differently. For instance, a 4’ x 8’ drywall will weigh less than a 4’ x 12’ drywall. As the size increases, the weight also increases. Most people, however, prefer working with the 4’ x 8’ drywall because they are easier to lift and transport.

Thicknesses

Drywall is also available in different thicknesses, and the most common ones include ¼’, ½,’ 3/8’, and 5/8’. The thicker the sheets are, the heavier they are. So, a 5/8’ drywall will be heavier than ¼’ drywall. Ultralight drywall is also available, and it weighs approximately 13 pounds less than standard drywall.

Composition

Since drywall is available in different types, its composition may be slightly different. For instance, waterproof drywall will have a moisture-resistant core and thicker sheets of paper than standard drywall. Also, Type X drywall, which is used to achieve fire rating in buildings, has thicker sheets of paper and a fire-resistant core. This difference in construction makes the sheets weigh differently.

Drywall weight can also be affected by the brand and humidity of the area during and after manufacturing. For instance, you may find that drywall of the same type and size weighs differently due to the changes in humidity.

FAQ's

It is essential to know how much drywall weighs when assessing how strong you need a wall to be. Although drywall is very sturdy, it has its limitations, and it cannot hold up more than it is supposed to.

More so, different drywall thicknesses and sizes are used for various purposes. By knowing the sheet’s weight, you can determine whether it is suitable for walls, ceilings, or commercial purposes. Weight is also useful when transporting drywall from one location to another.

Drywall is engineered using a gypsum core (calcium sulfate dehydrate), thick sheets of paper, and additives like resin, mica, and clay. Water-resistant drywall has a gypsum core, but the paper coating is treated with wax or silicone chemical for water resistance.

Drywall is strong and durable, making it the most common material for walls and ceilings. Its dust, however, irritates the lungs, so you must use protective gear when installing it.

Drywall comes in different types, including standard drywall, water-resistant and fire-resistant. It is also available in different sizes and thicknesses. Standard drywall of size 4’ x 8’ and ½’ thickness is commonly used for walls and ceilings because it is easier to work with. 5/8’ thickness is, however, recommended for ceilings to prevent sagging over time.

Water-resistant drywall (green and purple drywall) is ideal for areas where moisture is a concern, like the kitchen and bathroom. Fire-resistant drywall is usually used in the kitchen, garages, basements, and commercial/residential buildings to meet the fire code standards.

It may be difficult to determine the actual weight of drywall because of the differences in manufacturing. Typically, a sheet of drywall may weigh more or less depending on humidity levels during and after manufacturing and the manufacturing process. So, most contractors use rough weight estimates based on published industry standards.

Benjamin McInerny
Author: Benjamin McInerny - is a qualified arborist and a DIY Home Improvement enthusiast. Ben has a extensive experience on renovation projects including, mold removal, painting, fence installation and more. Ben shares his skills with DIY and gardening enthusiasts.