1/2 vs 5/8 Drywall
Same room, two thicknesses: enter your supplier's prices and see the cost difference, the weight you will carry, and where the code takes the choice out of your hands.
- Your room, your prices
- Weight per sheet
- Where 5/8 is required
- Ceiling framing limits
1/2 in vs 5/8 in for this room
21 sheets of 4' x 8' either way27% more
| Per room | 1/2 in | 5/8 in |
|---|---|---|
| Board cost | $315 | $399 |
| Weight per sheet | 51 lb | 70 lb |
| Total weight | 1,075 lb | 1,478 lb |
| Shortest screw | 1-1/8 in | 1-1/4 in |
| Fire rated | No | Type X |
Weights are USG's published lb per sq ft. Sheet counts include 10% waste. Screw counts are the same; the shortest screw is the GA-216 minimum into wood, and USG recommends 1-1/4 in for both.
Half inch drywall is the default for residential walls and ceilings; five eighths inch is heavier, stiffer and, as type X, fire rated. For the same room the sheet count is the same, so the difference is the price per sheet times the number of sheets, plus a lot more weight to carry overhead. A 4x8 sheet of 5/8 in type X weighs about 70 lb against about 51 lb for regular 1/2 in and 40 lb for lightweight 1/2 in, by USG's published weights. The calculator works out the dollar difference for your room with your own prices.
When the code requires 5/8
In a house built under the International Residential Code, the clearest case is a garage ceiling with part of the house above it: Table R302.6 requires at least 5/8 in type X there. Fire-rated assemblies, such as some walls between townhouses, require the board their listing names, usually type X. Everywhere else in a typical house, 1/2 in meets the model code.
Ceilings, framing and sag
IRC Table R702.3.5 lets both 1/2 and 5/8 in board span ceiling framing up to 16 in on center either way, or 24 in when the board runs across the framing. The difference shows up with water-based spray texture: then 1/2 in board is limited to 16 in framing, and 24 in framing needs 5/8 in or 1/2 in sag-resistant ceiling board. USG rates its lightweight 1/2 in panels and its sag-resistant ceiling board for 24 in ceilings with texture.
Is 5/8 better for sound?
Somewhat. USG has described 5/8 in board as providing increased resistance to fire and to the transmission of sound compared with 1/2 in, because it is heavier. We could not find a manufacturer figure for the difference on an otherwise identical wall, and real sound control comes far more from insulation, resilient mounting and sealing gaps than from the extra 1/8 in.
Screws and labor
The screw count is the same, because spacing depends on the framing, not the board. The minimum length goes up from 1-1/8 in to 1-1/4 in, and USG recommends 1-1/4 in for both. The real labor difference is weight: hanging 70 lb sheets overhead is slower and usually means a lift, which is a large part of why 5/8 in quotes run higher than the board price alone.
Frequently asked questions
Primary references
Manufacturer and industry guidance used to check this article.
- 2024 IRC Chapter 3, Table R302.6 dwelling unit garage separationInternational Code Council
- 2024 IRC Table R702.3.5, minimum thickness and application of gypsum boardInternational Code Council
- USG wallboard portfolio, panel weights (WB2816)USG
- Sheetrock Brand gypsum panels submittal, regular board weights (WB1473)USG
- Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, GA-216-2010 archiveGypsum Association
Product instructions, tested assemblies and local code take priority over general guidance.