The distance between the wall studs will determine the answer as to how many drywall screws per sheet. For instance, the space between wall studs is typically 16 inches in modern construction. Let’s see what we’re looking at for the amount you need, per sheet.
Drywall sheets are 4’ x 8’/10’/12′. With a standard wall stud distance of 16”, install 3 in the center and one on each edge in the bevels. That is 5 screws per 16″ on horizontally installed drywall. With an 8’ length of sheet, each row would have 5 screws.
Therefore, a single 4’ x 8’ sheet of drywall will require approximately 25 screws PLUS three extra on each end for 34 total.
Walls and ceilings with stud and strapping spacing at 16″ on center get three screws in the field and one on each beveled edge so five across the 48″ and 54″ drywall. Each end of the drywall (called a butt joint) receives three extra (8 per end) to make a solid joint that won’t crack. Therefore 42 screws for 4×8 drywall and 56 for 4×12.
This article will give you a definitive guide to determining the right formula for the proper screw distance so you can avoid damaging the drywall.
How Many Screws Should You Put In Drywall?
Now that you know the most common types of drywall, you may know the formula for how many screws you should use to fasten a drywall panel.
The answer to this question heavily depends on the size. In general, you need 36 screws to secure a sheet 4 feet wide and 8 feet long.
Buying one screw for every square foot of drywall installed is a simple approach to determining how many screws you will need to purchase.
TIP: Look for cheap screws second hand from used building supply stores, Craig’s List, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc to save money.
Scott Boyd
However, if you’re using half or extra-large sheets, you may get a more precise count by dividing the total wall area by 36. To do this, multiply the total number of sheets by 36. This will provide an approximate number of screws needed.
Let’s say, for example, the bedroom you’re working on has 320 square feet of walls. If you divide 320 by 32 square feet, you get 10. As a result, you’ll need to buy ten sheets of drywall to cover that area.
To calculate how many drywall screws you’ll need for that space, multiply the number of sheets (10 in this case) by 36, so 360 total for renovation or construction of a room this size.

How Many Drywall Screws Do I Need For 12 Sheets Of Drywall?
If the studs in your walls are 12 inches apart, you’ll want to do everything the same but place your screws at that distance. Wall studs in newer houses are typically spaced 16 inches apart, but wall studs in older homes are sometimes spaced 12 inches apart.
As mentioned before, the number of screws required to secure a 4-by-8-foot drywall panel in this setting is 36. Thus, you may need 48 drywall screws if it is a 4-by-12 sheet of drywall (source), but I use 56 minimum, especially on ceilings and with 5/8″ fire-code drywall.
How Far Apart Do Drywall Screws Need To Be?
Would you want to know how far apart your screws should be? Here are some broad principles to keep in mind.
Drywall Screw Spacing For Wall Edges
Generally speaking, screws should be spaced anywhere from 12 inches to 16 inches apart when dealing with flat, basic drywall. However, this recommendation does not apply to drywall corners or wall edges.
Drywall with a 4’x8’ sheet and 16-inch-apart studs requires four rows of seven (I like to use 8) screws, spaced evenly apart, to be installed along the drywall’s 4′ two ends (the ends, not the beveled edges). You should start by positioning the drywall’s edge in the exact middle of the stud.
You should drive the first screw into the stud at a distance of approximately 3/8 inch from the wall’s edge. Repeating this technique on each of the four studs holding the drywall is necessary. Then, 16 inches from the first screw, begin the second row on the wall edge. Do the same process on all four studs.

Drywall Screw Spacing For Ceilings
Drywall and drywall screws are subjected to much higher strain when installed horizontally (on the ceiling) instead of vertically (on the wall). Putting up drywall on a ceiling requires precise measuring and cutting. Make sure the end of each drywall board is resting on a joist or stud as you install it.
The recommended spacing for screws in floor joists is 16 inches, whereas the spacing for all other screws is 12 inches. Attach the drywall to the studs in a pattern, starting at one end and working your way to the other.
With these calculations, 36 screws should have been used, evenly distributed over four columns. There should be 52 screws used (if it’s a 4-by-12).
Another way to do it for every 16 inches, studs are used to frame most interior walls. Trusses may be spaced every 24 inches on the top level of a house or in single-story homes. Instead of the recommended 12 inches between screws on adjacent studs, you’ll have either 16 or 24 inches.
Learn more with my articles Drywall is Cracking and How to Fix here and Drywall vs Plywood here and vs Plasterboard.
Scott Boyd

Avoid Ceiling Droop
The ceiling drywall must have a suitable length for the distance between the ceiling frame sections. Sheets of drywall will droop if they are too thin or lack sufficient internal strength.
When the ceiling framework members are 24” on center, drywall that is 5/8” thick is sometimes used since it is stronger and thicker it should not droop (as long as there is not too much humidity and moisture in the drywall).
You may note that there are two reasons why screws usually pop out of drywall. First, they were installed too deep through the paper and into the gypsum (surprisingly the paper is what provides the strength!).
Second, the stud has expanded or contracted due to warping caused by the wood drying. Kiln-dried lumber must be 19% moisture or less, but it dries, shrinks, and warps after the house is framed and watertight.
Only set the screws until they are just barely into the drywall or you will need more screws when sunk too deep. You can use a 4″ putty/drywall taper knife to wipe over the screws to see if they are sticking out too far. If you don’t hear the know make contact with the metal screw you are good to go!
Scott Boyd
Can I Put Too Many Drywall Screws Per Sheet In Drywall?
When it comes to drywall screws, it is best to use more rather than an insufficient amount of drywall screws per sheet. However, remember that this might potentially cause some issues.
Drywall that hasn’t been correctly hung or fastened with enough screws may easily fracture or tear, requiring costly and time-consuming repairs in the future.
Likewise, the drywall mudding process will be more time-consuming if you use an excessive number of screws, but if you are doing it yourself then the extra labor is free.
In addition, if you use drywall glue to help fasten to the wall studs or ceiling strapping (or directly to the trusses in some states and provinces… yes I am looking at you Alberta!), it reduces the number of screws or fasteners needed.
Applying a generous layer of drywall glue every 12 inches along the studs is a common practice.
Consult Local Regulations
When hanging drywall, you should consult local building regulations before deciding the number of screws or nails to use. Find out whether you need professional contractors or a permit in your area. Codes are region specific. If that’s the case, you must constantly adhere to regulations in your city’s ordinance.
I am building off-grid in locations that don’t have any government oversight, so no building inspectors to count my screws. Actually, even in residential and commercial buildings the building inspectors never l count them either.
If drywall installation does not need permits or inspections in your city, following the guidelines will help you avoid damaging your walls when hanging drywall.
Fire-rated, flexible, lightweight, moisture control or regular drywall sheets should all be able to be used according to these guidelines, whether they are being used for a home or commercial building.
TIP: Use 1 1/4″ COURSE thread for 1/2″ drywall on wood framing and fine thread for steel framing (usually commercial buildings) or resilient channel (sound bar strapping). 1 1/4″ is also ok for 5/8 drywall on steel framing, but you should consider using 1 5/8″ for wood framing with 5/8″ firecode board.
Scott Boyd

Drywall Properties And Characteristics
Before estimating the number of drywall screws required for each sheet, it is vital to be familiar with the qualities and properties of your drywall.
Estimating drywall screws for a project requires knowing the purpose and kind of screws to be used. There is a wide selection of lengths and thread types for drywall screws determined by the thickness of the drywall and the kind of framework to which the wall is attached.
Drywall is one of the most popular building materials, going by several names, including wallboard, plasterboard, and gypsum panel. Walls and ceilings may be framed and then finished with drywall. Natural gypsum is used in its production, and this mineral is readily available and eco-friendly for users.
You may be familiar with drywall as a material for flat surfaces like walls and ceilings, but it works well for curved ones like arches and eaves. Drywall is simple to work with and requires minimal effort to install or repair.
Several unique types of drywall are available in commercial settings, including the following: (source)
Regular Drywall
Most rooms may be finished with regular drywall, also known as a whiteboard, the most popular form of drywall used in houses and typically has a white and brown side. This drywall comes in various widths, from 3/8 inch to 1 inch in thickness, and is the most cost-effective alternative. The standard drywall thickness in residences is 1/2 inch.
Plasterboard
A plasterboard is a panel formed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) and is typically pressed between a facer and a backer. You’ll see it in the form of walls and ceilings within buildings.
When installing a plasterboard, you must apply a thin layer or layers of plaster to the whole surface. Because of the face paper’s absorbency, you may use the plaster finish coat more smoothly on the drywall. When recreating the appearance of lath and plaster, it is often seen in older buildings, including but not limited to schools, offices, and homes. (source)
Soundproof Drywall
Soundproof drywall has a higher sound transmission class (STC) than conventional drywall. Gypsum, or calcium sulfate, is the main ingredient in drywall. Drywall’s primary component, gypsum, is inexpensive, fireproof, and effective in reducing ambient noise.
However, the solid gypsum core in soundproof drywall is replaced with a layer of gypsum, viscoelastic, and ceramics. Together, these components provide a more effective noise barrier.
Fire-Resistant Drywall
Fire-resistant drywall is used in areas of the home like the basement or garage where there is potentially dangerous machinery. Drywall is available in two different varieties that withstand fire: Type X and Type C.
Fire-code drywall, also known as Type X, is 5/8 inches thick and boosts a wall’s fire rating from 30 minutes to at least 1 hour. Meanwhile, type C is identical to type X, only that it doesn’t contract when heated. It’s mainly used in ceilings to protect them from falling into a fire.
Mold-Resistant Drywall
Drywall treated to prevent mold development from water vapor and dampness are called mold-resistant drywall. Using this specifically coated drywall might be a good idea if you live in a humid environment.
Mold-resistant drywall, often seen in shades of purple, is more expensive than conventional drywall, but mold and mildew can harm your health, so it can be worth it to have this type of drywall.
Greenboard Drywall
Another drywall that can survive high moisture levels is sometimes called “green board.” This type of drywall is a cheaper and more convenient alternative to cement boards in construction. It is often used in high-humidity rooms such as toilets, kitchens, and laundromats. You may also use the green board as a tile substrate.
Summary
The distance between screws or nails should depend on several factors, such as the drywall’s thickness, the distance between the underlying frame members, whether on a wall or a ceiling, the sheets’ orientation, and the glue usage.
You have to know the importance of securing your drywall. Otherwise, if your drywall is not properly secured, it can cause costly and unnecessary repairs. Some of these include cracked drywall or screws popping.
Lastly, you have to know that local codes differ. Some state construction standards are established by the county, city, town, or local municipality. Some places need a license and permission before drywall installation. They usually need a drywall inspection before taping and finishing in such a situation.
Building inspectors will assess the drywall used in different applications and the number of screws or nails used for each sheet. They verify fastener placement and spacing. Thus, you must refer to your local construction regulations to determine how many screws are required and how far apart they should be.
Sources
- Drywall Screw Spacing and Pattern Guide https://www.thespruce.com/drywall-screw-spacing-guide-4125925#:~:text=How%20Many%20Screws%20Per%20Sheet,each%20of%20the%20two%20sides. Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How many screws are needed per sheet of drywall, https://drywall101.com/en/articles/hanging/screws_per_sheet, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How Many Screws Per Sheet of Drywall? What Type? How Long? https://www.homestratosphere.com/how-many-screws-per-sheet-of-drywall/, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- Fire-Rated Drywall: Is It Worth It? https://www.thisoldhouse.com/walls/21173181/fire-rated-drywall, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- Soundproof Drywall: Creating a Sound Barrier, https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/other/soundproof-drywall-creating-a-sound-barrier, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How many screws should go in a sheet of drywall? https://www.interviewarea.com/faq/how-many-screws-should-go-in-a-sheet-of-drywall, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How Many Scews Do I Need Per Sheer Of Drywall? https://housegrail.com/how-many-screws-do-i-need-per-sheet-of-drywall/, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How Many Drywall Screw Per Sheet? https://evolvinghome.co/how-many-drywall-screws-per-sheet/, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- How Many Screws per Sheet of Drywall? Estimate Your Needs https://www.h2ouse.org/how-many-screws-per-sheet-of-drywall/#:~:text=Although%20most%20modern%20homes%20have,by%2D12%20sheet%20of%20drywall., Accessed August 19, 2022.
- What Is Plasterboard? https://www.siniat.co.uk/en-gb/uk/plasterboard/, Accessed August 19, 2022.
- 7 Different Types Of Drywall and How to Choose One, https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-drywall-845079. Accessed August 19, 2022.
- 6 Types Of Drywall and How They’re Used, https://mtcopeland.com/blog/6-types-of-drywall-and-how-theyre-used/. Accessed August 19, 2022.