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How Many Sheets of Drywall for a 2 Car Garage?

Sheets of drywall for the common 2 car garage sizes at 8, 9 and 10 ft walls, with only attic above or with living space above, from a sheet-by-sheet layout.

  • 20x20, 22x22, 24x24
  • 8, 9 and 10 ft walls
  • Type X split
  • Layout counted

By · Updated

Garage size

ft
Garage door wall
ft
Front to back
ft

Connection to the house

Walls shared with the house
What is above the garage?

Openings

On the front wall
Into the house
3 x 5 ft
Garage door size

Board

Sheet size

Your estimate

2024 IRC Table R302.6, model code minimum
28sheets in total
no type X required

1/2 in, required

Sheets164' x 12', offcuts reused
Ceiling22 ft wideAttic above: 1/2 in minimum on the garage side
Left wall22 ft wideShared with the house: 1/2 in minimum on the garage side

1/2 in, optional

Sheets124' x 12', offcuts reused
Front wall22 ft wideNot required by Table R302.6
Back wall22 ft wideNot required by Table R302.6
Right wall22 ft wideNot required by Table R302.6

Counts come from a sheet-by-sheet layout with offcuts reused within each product, plus no spare. Add one sheet per ten, and confirm local amendments with your building department.

12345678910111122 ft
Ceiling, 1/2 in, required22 ft x 22 ft, horizontal, 12 pieces, 6 butt joints
Garage door123322 ft
Front wall, 1/2 in, optional22 ft x 9 ft, horizontal, 6 pieces, 1 butt joint
1213141522 ft
Left wall, 1/2 in, required22 ft x 9 ft, horizontal, 6 pieces, 1 butt joint
456722 ft
Back wall, 1/2 in, optional22 ft x 9 ft, horizontal, 8 pieces, 5 butt joints
910111222 ft
Right wall, 1/2 in, optional22 ft x 9 ft, horizontal, 6 pieces, 3 butt joints

Sheets of drywall for a 2 car garage, by size

4x12 sheets, walls and ceiling, one 16 x 7 ft door
GarageWallsBoard areaAttic above: 1/2 inLiving above: type X + 1/2 in
20 x 20 ft8 ft907 sq ft21 sheets9 + 12 = 21
20 x 20 ft9 ft987 sq ft23 sheets9 + 14 = 23
20 x 20 ft10 ft1,067 sq ft24 sheets9 + 15 = 24
20 x 22 ft8 ft979 sq ft22 sheets10 + 13 = 23
20 x 22 ft9 ft1,063 sq ft24 sheets10 + 15 = 25
20 x 22 ft10 ft1,147 sq ft25 sheets10 + 16 = 26
22 x 22 ft8 ft1,055 sq ft25 sheets11 + 14 = 25
22 x 22 ft9 ft1,143 sq ft28 sheets11 + 16 = 27
22 x 22 ft10 ft1,231 sq ft29 sheets11 + 18 = 29
24 x 22 ft8 ft1,131 sq ft26 sheets11 + 14 = 25
24 x 22 ft9 ft1,223 sq ft28 sheets11 + 17 = 28
24 x 22 ft10 ft1,315 sq ft29 sheets11 + 18 = 29
24 x 24 ft8 ft1,211 sq ft27 sheets12 + 15 = 27
24 x 24 ft9 ft1,307 sq ft29 sheets12 + 17 = 29
24 x 24 ft10 ft1,403 sq ft30 sheets12 + 18 = 30

A 2 car garage takes about 21 to 27 sheets of 4x12 drywall with 8 ft walls, from a 20 x 20 ft garage to a 24 x 24 ft one, walls and ceiling included and a 16 x 7 ft door deducted. Taller walls add a few sheets, and living space above changes which sheets they are: the ceiling becomes 5/8 in type X. The table below gives the count for each common size and height, laid out sheet by sheet rather than estimated from area.

What the table assumes

  • An attached garage with one 16 x 7 ft garage door on the front wall and one entry door on the wall shared with the house.
  • Every wall and the ceiling boarded, in 4 x 12 ft sheets, laid out with offcuts reused within each product.
  • Attic above: all 1/2 in board. Living space above: a 5/8 in type X ceiling and 1/2 in walls, per IRC Table R302.6.
  • No spare sheets. Add one per ten for breakage and miscuts.

Common 2 car garage sizes

Twenty by twenty feet is a common minimum for two cars, 22 by 22 gives room to open doors, and 24 by 24 leaves space for a bench or storage. Depth matters more than width if you have a full-size pickup. Wall height follows the house: 8 ft is common in older homes, 9 and 10 ft in newer ones and in garages built for taller doors.

Two single 9 x 7 ft doors instead of one 16 x 7 ft door leave a little more wall to board. The garage calculator lets you choose the door size and count, and draws every wall.

Which sheets need to be type X?

Only the ceiling, and only when part of the house is above it. Walls shared with the house, a ceiling under an attic, and walls that carry a floor above need at least 1/2 in board. The code checker works out each surface for your garage and edition of the code.

This page explains the model International Residential Code. Your state, county or city may adopt a different edition or amend it, and some require 5/8 in type X on every garage surface. Check your local code with the building department before you buy board.

Frequently asked questions

For a 22 x 22 ft garage with 8 ft walls, about 25 sheets of 4x12 for the walls and ceiling, with a 16 x 7 ft door deducted. With 9 ft walls it is about 28, and with 10 ft walls about 29. Add one spare per ten sheets.

Primary references

Manufacturer and industry guidance used to check this article.

Product instructions, tested assemblies and local code take priority over general guidance.

Keep going

Related tools

Drywall for a 20x20 Garage20x20 garage: sheets by wall height, Type X split, materials and wall diagrams.Drywall for a 24x24 Garage24x24 garage: sheets by wall height, Type X split, materials and wall diagrams.Garage Drywall Code RequirementsInteractive IRC R302.6 checker: 1/2 in vs 5/8 in Type X per garage surface.Garage Drywall CalculatorGarage takeoff split into type X and regular board by the IRC separation table.