When undertaking a drywall or wallboarding project, one of the most fundamental questions is “How many screws will I need?” Knowing the approximate screw count in a standard box can help with planning and budgeting.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to the key questions around screws per 5 lb box:
- A 5 lb box contains around 1000-1300 drywall screws on average
- This is around 200-260 screws per 1 lb
- A single drywall sheet takes around 35-55 screws for installation
- So a 5 lb box can cover around 20-35 standard 4×8 ft drywall sheets
Average Screw Count by Weight
First, let’s look at the average screw count you can expect to find in boxes of varying weights:
| Box Weight | Approx. Screw Count |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 200-260 screws |
| 5 lb | 1000-1300 screws |
| 25 lb | 5000-6500 screws |
As you can see, the general range is 200-260 screws per pound. So in a standard 5 lb box, you can expect around 1000-1300 screws inside.
Factors Affecting Total Screw Count
However, the exact screw count can vary based on a few factors:
- Screw size – Smaller gauge, thinner screws take up less space per pound
- Screw length – Shorter screw lengths fit more screws per pound vs longer screws
- Screw type – Specialized screws may be heavier and reduce the count per pound
- Brand/quality – Budget screws tend to have higher counts per pound
But for standard drywall screw boxes from major brands, you can expect around 200-260 screws inside per pound marked on the packaging.
Screws Needed Per Drywall Sheet
Another useful reference point is screws needed per drywall sheet. This can help estimate how many sheets a single screw box will cover.
On average, a single 4×8 ft drywall panel requires:
- 35-55 screws for wall installation
- 45-70 screws for ceiling installation
The range depends on stud spacing and board thickness. Thicker 5/8 in drywall and tighter 16 in on center stud spacing will be on the higher end.
Screws Per Sheet by Location
| Installation Type | Screws Per Sheet |
|---|---|
| Wall – 16 in OC studs | 55 screws |
| Wall – 24 in OC studs | 40 screws |
| Ceiling – 16 in OC joists | 70 screws |
| Ceiling – 24 in OC joists | 50 screws |
As shown above, a typical drywall sheet uses 35-70 screws depending on the exact installation type and framing spacing.
Estimated Drywall Sheets Per Screw Box
Based on the average screw count per box and average screws needed per sheet, we can estimate the number of drywall sheets a single box can cover.
Taking a typical 5 lb box with around 1300 screws at the high end, here is the approximate drywall sheet coverage:
- Wall installation – 25-35 sheets per 5 lb box
- Ceiling installation – 20-25 sheets per 5 lb box
For wall mounting on studs spaced 16-24 in apart, a single 5 lb screw box will usually cover 25-35 standard 4×8 ft drywall sheets.
For ceiling mounting, the estimate is around 20-25 sheets covered per 5 lb box based on typical joist spacing.
Estimated Drywall Sheets Per Box
| Box Weight | Wall Sheets | Ceiling Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | 5-7 | 4-5 |
| 5 lb | 25-35 | 20-25 |
| 25 lb | 125-175 | 100-125 |
These are rough estimates, but provide a good reference point for planning screw box needs by sheet coverage.
Cost of Screws Per Pound
When budgeting a drywall project, the cost per pound of screws is also useful to factor in.
On average, drywall screws cost:
- $8 – $15 per 1 lb box
- $35 – $55 per 5 lb box
- $160 – $220 per 25 lb box
Buying in bulk 25 lb boxes provides the most cost savings per pound. But 1 lb boxes allow more flexibility if estimating needs and waste.
Screw Cost per Pound
| Box Size | Typical Price Range | Cost per Pound |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $8 – $15 | $8 – $15 |
| 5 lb | $35 – $55 | $7 – $11 |
| 25 lb | $160 – $220 | $6.50 – $9 |
Buying larger bulk boxes reduces the per pound costs. But smaller boxes provide more flexibility in estimating needs.
Conclusion
To summarize the key estimates:
- A 5 lb box of drywall screws contains around 1000-1300 screws
- This works out to around 200-260 screws per pound
- Wall mounting takes around 35-55 screws per 4×8 sheet
- Ceiling mounting takes around 45-70 screws per sheet
- So a 5 lb box covers about 25-35 wall sheets or 20-25 ceiling sheets
- Cost per pound ranges from $6.50-$15 depending on box size
Knowing these general drywall screw estimates can help with planning and budgeting your project. But always confirm with screw box labeling rather than relying solely on these approximate reference points.
