The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Drywall comes in standard sizes that include common thicknesses, lengths, and widths.
These predictable features allow you to plan your projects andhang drywallwith complete accuracy.
The most important is drywall thickness.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
The most common drywall thickness is 1/2 inch, which is typically for residential use in homes.
Selecting the right drywall size is based on two things: code and location.
Read on to learn more about standard and specialty drywall sizes to get your project started.
Choosing Drywall Sizes
Drywall Thickness
Common drywall thicknesses are 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 5/8-inch.
The thickness required for each program is dictated by the building code.
You’ll need the right screws for the thickness you choose.
For standard 1/2-inch-thick drywall panels, you will use 1 1/4 or 1 3/8-inch drywall screws.
For 5/8-inch-thick drywall panels, use 1 3/8 or 1 5/8-inch screws.
Consider 1/2-inch drywall to be the default thickness of drywall for most wall applications.
When installed on ceilings, 5/8-inch-thick panels are less susceptible to sagging between the joists than 1/2-inch panels.
3/4-Inch-Thick Drywall
A 3/4-inch thick drywall panel does exist but it is not standard in homes.
It is used on steel-framed walls for fireproofing.
Walls must be able to support 3/4-inch drywall since 4x10-foot sheets weigh about 112 pounds.
Some applications call for or allow multiple layers of drywall.
In ordinary residential construction, doubling up drywall thickness can reduce sound transmission and make for sturdier walls.
While drywall’s lengths are variable, its width generally remains 4 feet.
4x8-Foot Drywall
The most common size of drywall is 4 feet wide and 8 feet long.
The 4x8-foot size allows for either vertical or horizontal installation.
2x2-Foot Drywall
The 2x2-foot square of drywall is not a stock sheet size.
These small sheets can be useful forpatching jobsor wall-boarding small nooks and alcoves.
While not common on the consumer market, 4 1/2-foot-wide drywall sheets can be special-ordered.
They are not stocked in home improvement centers and are rarely used except by professionals.
The thickness of drywall that is normally used on interior walls is 1/2-inch drywall.
The standard drywall thickness to use on ceilings is 5/8-inch drywall.
