How Much Does a Sheet of Drywall Weigh? (Chart + Calculator)

The weight of a sheet of drywall is determined primarily by its size and type. The manufacturing location, humidity levels at the time of manufacture, and other minor factors can also affect the weight of drywall to some extent. But in general, you can get a very good idea of how much drywall weighs by using the information below.

Open the drywall weight calculator

Use the calculator for per-sheet weight, standard vs lightweight, and a full job total before you haul. The charts on this page are the teaching reference — manufacturer published rates and how those numbers work out on common sheet sizes.

SVG image of a stickman lifting a heavy sheet of drywall.

Typical sheet weights the calculator uses

Drywall 101 estimates weight from pounds per square foot. Standard 1/2" is 1.6 lb/ft² and 5/8" is 2.2 lb/ft². Lightweight 1/2" is 1.2 lb/ft² and 5/8" is 1.65 lb/ft². A 4×8 sheet is 32 ft²; a 4×12 is 48 ft².

Type	4×8 (32 ft²)	4×12 (48 ft²)
1/2" Standard	51.2 lb	76.8 lb
5/8" Standard	70.4 lb	105.6 lb
1/2" Lightweight	38.4 lb	57.6 lb
5/8" Lightweight	52.8 lb	79.2 lb

To turn a sheet count into a haul weight, multiply the per-sheet number by the number of sheets — or let the calculator do it.

Calculate a job total

General weight considerations

USG, LaFarge, and Certain Teed are three large North American drywall manufacturers. According to material safety data sheets from USG, standard drywall weighs approximately 38lb/ft³. Lightweight drywall weighs about 28-30 lb/ft³. These three companies publish the following approximate weights for their products:

Lbs/ft²

Brand	1/4 inch	3/8 inch	1/2 inch	5/8 inch
USG© / National Gympsum©	1.2	1.4	1.6	2.2
USG© Ultralight™	N/A	N/A	1.25	1.65
LaFarge©	1.1	1.3	1.6	N/A
LaFarge© LiteLift™	N/A	N/A	1.3	N/A
Certain Teed©	1.13	1.25	1.6	N/A
Certain Teed© Easi-Lite™	N/A	N/A	1.3	N/A

To estimate the weight of drywall from different manufacturers we can normalize their published weights and use lb/ft³ as a baseline.

1/2 inch Standard Drywall	Lbs/ft³
USG© / National Gympsum©	~38.4
USG© Ultralight™	~30
LaFarge©	~38.4
LaFarge© LiteLift™	~28.8
Certain Teed©	~38.4
Certain Teed© Easi-Lite™	~30.5

The chart below shows the approximate weight of one sheet of 4' wide drywall of various lengths from different manufacturers using both a lbs/ft³ and lbs/ft² calculation.

Using lbs/ft³ calculations for 48-inch wide sheets

	Lbs/ft³	8 ft long	10 ft long	12 ft long	14 ft long
1/4” Standard	38.4	25.6	32	38.4	44.8
3/8” Standard	38.4	38.4	48	57.6	67.2
1/2” Standard	38.4	51.2	64	76.8	89.6
5/8” Standard	38.4	64	80	96	112
1/2” Lightweight	29	44	49	58	68.5
5/8” Lightweight	29	53	61	73.5	86

Using lbs/ft² calculations for 48” wide sheets

	Lbs/ft²	8 ft long	10 ft long	12 ft long	14 ft long
1/4” Standard	1.2	38.4	48	57.6	67.2
3/8” Standard	1.4	44.8	56	67.2	78.4
1/2” Standard	1.6	51.2	64	76.8	89.6
5/8” Standard	2.2	70.4	88	105.6	123.2
1/2” Lightweight	1.25	40	50	60	70
5/8” Lightweight	1.65	52.8	66	79.2	92.4

Conclusion

There are a few factors that affect how much drywall weighs. The width, length, and thickness are key factors. But it is difficult to determine the exact weight of a sheet of drywall because of the variables in manufacturing.

Drywall may weigh more or less because of humidity levels during or after manufacture, the manufacturing process or the type of drywall used. It is possible to roughly estimate the weight based on published standards. A general estimate is usually sufficient for contractor needs.

Open the drywall weight calculator

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