Essential tools for hanging drywall typically include a tape measure, drywall T-square, utility knife or drywall saw, rasp, level, drywall hammer or screw gun, and tools for lifting and positioning drywall panels. Additional tools such as chalk reels, snips, panel carriers, foot lifters, and panel lifts can make larger or professional installations faster and easier.

A drywall T-square is used to measure, mark, and guide straight cuts across drywall sheets. Its long blade and crosspiece make it especially useful for quickly marking standard drywall panels and creating accurate square cuts.

The best drywall cutting tool depends on the type of cut. A utility knife is commonly used for straight cuts by scoring and snapping the drywall panel, while a jab saw or drywall saw is better for openings, curved cuts, electrical boxes, and other interior cutouts. A drywall rasp can then be used to smooth and fine-tune rough cut edges.

A drywall jab saw is designed for cutting openings and irregular shapes in drywall. Its pointed blade can be pushed through drywall to start a cut, making it useful for creating openings for electrical boxes, outlets, plumbing, lighting, and other fixtures.

Drywall panels can be positioned using board carriers, foot lifters, panel lifts, and other drywall lifting tools. A foot lifter can help raise a wall panel slightly off the floor for alignment, while a drywall panel lift is especially useful for positioning large sheets on ceilings and higher walls.

Common drywall layout tools include tape measures, chalk reels, levels, carpenter pencils, squares, and drywall T-squares. These tools help establish reference lines, check alignment, locate framing, and accurately mark drywall sheets before cutting and installation.

A drywall hammer is specifically designed for drywall installation. Many feature a crowned or textured face for setting drywall nails without damaging the surrounding paper surface, along with a specialized head or blade that can assist with drywall work. A standard hammer is more general-purpose and may not provide the same level of control when fastening drywall.

Drywall panel lifts, board carriers, foot lifters, and positioning tools can make handling large drywall sheets easier when working alone or with a small crew. Panel lifts are particularly useful for ceiling installations because they help raise and hold drywall sheets in position while they are fastened.