How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?

Drywall prices

Sheetrock and drywall costs $10 to $20 per sheet or $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot on average, depending on size, thickness, and type. Gypsum plasterboard prices are $12 to $16 per sheet. Drywall materials cost $200 to $400 to cover the walls and ceiling of a 12' x 12' bedroom (500 SF).

*Material prices. Minimum delivery fees of $79 typically apply.

• Bulk drywall costs 10% to 25% less when ordering 34 panels or more.
• Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, including materials and labor.
• Costs are based on the wall or ceiling surface square footage, not the square footage of the floor space.
• Drywall is also called wallboard, sheetrock, gypsum board, and plasterboard.
• Common drywall sheet sizes are 4' x 8', 4' x 10', and 4' x 12' for constructing interior walls and ceilings.

Average drywall prices per sheet

The following table shows the average drywall cost per sheet.

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Drywall prices by type

Regular drywall prices

Regular drywall costs $8 to $20 per sheet, depending on size and thickness. Standard drywall—also called whiteboard—ranges from 1/4" to 5/8" thick and has a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of gray, white, or brown paper. Regular drywall is not moisture, mold, or fire-resistant.

Green board drywall price

Green board drywall costs $12 to $20 per panel. Green board is also called moisture-resistant or mold-resistant drywall and is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Green drywall is not waterproof. Use cement backer board, Hardie board, or a Schluter wall system instead of drywall to waterproof shower walls before tiling.

Blue board / plasterboard prices

Blue drywall costs $12 to $16 per panel. Blue board—also called plasterboard—is mold and moisture resistant and is coated in blue paper designed to bond with plaster instead of drywall mud. The paper's special absorption qualities result in a smoother plaster surface.

Purple drywall prices

Purple drywall costs $12 to $22 per panel and is made by National Gypsum. Standard purple drywall is moisture, mold, and mildew resistant and is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and laundry rooms.

Fire-resistant Type X drywall prices

Fire-resistant Type X drywall costs $10 to $20 per panel. Fire-rated drywall is 5/8" thick and has a dense gypsum core embedded with non-combustible fibers that resist fire for one hour. Type X drywall is used for kitchens, boiler or furnace rooms, and shared walls between a house and garage.

High-impact drywall cost

High-impact drywall costs $40 to $60 per sheet and provides added protection against damage in commercial settings like schools, gymnasiums, hospitals, and correctional facilities. High-impact drywall features a dense fiberglass mesh embedded in its core for the strongest durability.

Lead-lined drywall price

Lead-lined drywall prices are $200 to $650 per panel, depending on the lead layer's thickness. Hospitals and clinics install lead-lined sheetrock to provide radiation shielding from diagnostic imaging equipment.

Soundproof or sound dampening drywall cost

Soundproof drywall costs $30 to $100 per panel and is ideal for home theaters, bedrooms in noisy areas, or multi-family homes. Sound dampening drywall is denser than standard drywall and features multiple layers of gypsum surrounding a thin elastic membrane to reduce noise transmission.

Other gypsum board prices

Gypsum board costs $10 to $20 per sheet, depending on the type and features:

• Foil-backed drywall – features a foil vapor barrier to prevent condensation from forming inside walls in cold climates
• Paperless drywall – has a fiberglass outer layer instead of paper for higher mold and rot resistance
• Enviroboard – made with recycled materials compressed into solid concrete-like panels
• Cement board – used as a backing for shower or bathroom tile

Bulk drywall wholesale prices

Bulk drywall orders of 34 panels or more qualify for a 10% to 25% discount, depending on the drywall type and the store. Some home improvement and building supply stores require minimum orders of 48 to 52 sheets for discounts on mold-resistant or fire-resistant drywall.

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Sheetrock prices

Sheetrock costs $12 to $20 per panel, depending on the type and thickness. Though the terms drywall and sheetrock are often used interchangeably, Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall made by U.S. Gypsum (USG) that undergoes extensive quality control testing.

Sheetrock prices from Home Depot or Lowe’s

Home Depot and Lowe's sheetrock prices are $12 to $20 per panel. Sheetrock comes in standard, moisture-resistant, Type X fire-resistant, and ultralight drywall panels.

Drywall material prices

Drywall supplies and materials cost $200 to $400 to cover 500 square feet of wall and ceiling surface, enough for a standard 12' x 12' bedroom.

*Only required for rooms with outside corners.

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Frequently asked questions

Where to buy drywall

Home Depot, Lowe's, and local building supply stores sell drywall. Some building supply stores only sell sheetrock in bulk quantities, but their prices are typically lower than retail chain stores.

How much drywall do I need?

Follow these steps to calculate how much drywall you need:

1. Multiply the length of the wall by the height to get the square footage. Do not subtract for doors or windows.
2. Divide the result by 32 for 4' x 8' drywall panels or by 48 for 4' x 12' drywall panels.

How much does it cost to install drywall?

Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, including materials and labor to hang, tape, and finish the walls or ceiling. Drywall contractors charge $40 to $100 per hour or $30 to $70 per sheet on average for installation.

How much does it cost to tape and mud drywall?

The labor cost to finish drywall is $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, depending on the finish level. Drywall finishing is typically included in the installation price and includes taping, mudding, and sanding the joints to prep the surface for painting.

How much does it cost to texture drywall?

The cost to texture drywall is $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot, depending on the wall or ceiling height, texture type, application method, and thickness. Texture adds dimension and hides the flaws and seams in drywall.

Can you install drywall yourself?

DIY drywall installation is a labor-intensive and challenging project that typically requires at least two people. Each 4' x 8' drywall sheet weighs 50 to 60 pounds. Creating a smooth finish with no visible seams also requires skill and experience.

What's the difference between drywall and plaster?

Drywall is a layer of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Plaster is a paste-like substance applied over blueboard or wood laths. Plaster is stronger and more soundproof than drywall, but more labor-intensive to install and requires multiple coats to build a strong finish.

Is lightweight drywall as good as regular drywall?

Lightweight drywall is 25% lighter than standard drywall, reducing shipping costs and making it easier for builders to lift and maneuver the panels into place. Ultralight drywall is not as durable as regular or soundproof drywall.

What is the best drywall thickness for walls or ceilings?

Drywall comes in four thicknesses. Each thickness is best suited for specific uses:

• 1/4" is the most economical but is typically only used for repairs, curved walls, or as a double-layer to cover a textured wall with a smooth surface. 1/4" drywall is not strong or stable enough to be used on its own.
• 3/8" was once the most common size but is now used only for repairs or curved walls.
• 1/2" is the standard drywall thickness for walls and ceilings in residential spaces.
• 5/8" is the thickest option and is used for fire resistance and soundproofing. 5/8" drywall is also ideal for ceilings because it prevents sagging.

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Tips for hiring a drywall contractor

Before hiring a drywall contractor near you, be sure to:

• Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
• Look at their reviews on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Look for a drywall contractor who is a member of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.
• Ask for references and browse their portfolio of similar completed projects.
• Select companies that are licensed, insured, bonded, and have been in business for at least five years.
• Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
• Avoid choosing the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.

Questions to ask

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
• Will you work on the project yourself or use a subcontractor?
• How many people are on your crew, and what hours do they work?
• Which type of drywall do you recommend for my project, and why?
• Does the estimate include the drywall delivery?
• Does the estimate include hanging, taping and mudding, finishing, and texturing?
• Does the estimate include cleanup costs?
• What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
• What other costs should I expect?
• How long will the project take?
• How do you handle damages that happen on the job?

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