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Drywall Weight Calculator

Calculate the total weight of your drywall sheets by entering the quantity, size, and thickness. Instantly find out which dumpster size you need for your renovation debris.

🧱 Drywall Weight Calculator Updates instantly
 
Tip: 1/2" is standard in most homes built after 1970
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Drywall weight by thickness

Drywall (also called gypsum board or sheetrock) weight varies significantly by thickness. Here are the standard weights for a 4×8 sheet:

Thickness4×8 sheetPer sq ft
1/4 inch24 lbs0.75 lbs
3/8 inch33 lbs1.03 lbs
1/2 inch ★51.5 lbs1.61 lbs
5/8 inch70.5 lbs2.20 lbs

★ Most common residential thickness

What size dumpster for drywall?

Drywall is moderately heavy but not as dense as concrete. A 20-yard dumpster typically handles drywall from a full home renovation without hitting weight limits.

Small bathroom or 1–2 rooms

10-yard dumpster handles up to ~30–40 sheets

Full floor or gut renovation

20-yard dumpster recommended for 50–150 sheets

Whole-house demo

30-yard or multiple loads for 200+ sheets

FAQ
How much does a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch drywall weigh?+
A standard 4×8 sheet of 1/2 inch drywall weighs approximately 51.5 pounds. This is the most common thickness used in residential construction.
How much does drywall weigh per square foot?+
Standard 1/2-inch drywall weighs about 1.6 lbs per square foot. 5/8-inch weighs ~2.2 lbs/sq ft. 1/4-inch is about 0.75 lbs/sq ft.
Can I mix drywall with other renovation debris?+
Yes — drywall can generally be mixed with other renovation debris in a standard roll-off dumpster. However, some areas have regulations about drywall disposal since it can release hydrogen sulfide when wet. Check with your local provider.
How many sheets of drywall fit in a 10-yard dumpster?+
A 10-yard dumpster can hold roughly 30–50 sheets of 1/2-inch drywall by weight, assuming you stay under the typical 1–2 ton weight limit. Volume-wise you could fit more, but weight is the limiting factor.

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