Use a sharp utility knife with a T-square for score-and-snap; add a drywall saw or rotary tool for openings, and a rasp to clean edges.
Clean cuts save time, mud, and sanding. The right setup keeps dust down and makes layout simple. Below you’ll find the tools, when to pick each one, and step-by-step cuts that work on new installs and repairs.
What to use to cut sheetrock
Here’s a load-out that covers most cuts.
- Utility knife with fresh blades for straight scores.
- Drywall T-square for guiding long scores.
- Drywall saw (keyhole) for doors, windows, and boxes.
- Rotary tool with drywall bit for fast outlet and vent cutouts.
- Rasp to shave edges after snapping.
- Measuring tape, pencil, chalk line for layout.
- Safety glasses and a dust mask or respirator.
| Tool | Best For | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Utility knife + T-square | Long straight cuts; ripping sheets | Score face, snap, cut back paper; finish with rasp |
| Drywall saw | Small openings; tight spots | Punch tip through; saw on the pull stroke for control |
| Rotary tool | Outlets, cans, vents | Set depth just past board; ride the box edge |
| Jab saw + drill | Starter hole then shape | Good when you don’t own a rotary tool |
| Oscillating multi-tool | Flush cuts on existing walls | Use a drywall blade; light pressure |
| Hole saw | Round cuts for cans or pipes | Pick diameter to match fixture |
The standard method is score-and-snap. It’s also what the industry manuals teach. See the Gypsum Association’s GA-216 cutting section and USG’s install guide for the exact steps.
What do you use to cut sheetrock for straight lines?
Score and snap like a pro
Lay the panel face up. Mark your line. Set the T-square, hold the square, and draw the knife along the blade with a single, steady pass. Don’t saw at the paper; a clean score works better than multiple rough passes. Stand the sheet slightly, pull back to snap the core, then cut the back paper. Run a rasp over the edge so tape sits flat.
Tips for cleaner rips
- Change blades often. A dull tip tears the face.
- Keep the square tight and your wrist low for a straight pull.
- For skinny rips under 2 in., score both sides before snapping.
- Use a chalk line for long runs across multiple sheets.
Cutting openings: boxes, cans, and vents
Drywall saw method
Trace the box outline. Drill a 3/8-in. starter hole at a corner. Push the saw tip through and cut to each line. Saw on the pull stroke to reduce blowout. Test-fit and tune with the rasp.
Rotary tool method
Fit a drywall spiral bit and set depth to about 1/8 in. past the board. With the sheet hung loosely on one edge, plunge near the box, find the box edge, then ride the outside. Move clockwise for a right-hand bit so the tool tracks the box.
Round holes for lights and pipes
Use a hole saw or adjustable circle cutter. Mark the center, chuck the arbor, and drill from the face side. Back the panel with scrap to avoid tearing when the saw exits.
Curves, notches, and tricky spots
Gentle curves
Score repeated shallow lines on the back paper and snap a little at a time, or use a jigsaw with a fine drywall blade and light feed. Sand or rasp to the line.
Tight curves and arches
Make a template in cardboard first. Transfer the line, rough out with a drywall saw, then fair the edge with the rasp. A rotary tool with a circle cutter helps on small radii.
Inside corners and flush trims
On remodels, an oscillating tool trims drywall tight to tile, casing, or cabinets. Pick a drywall blade and let the tool do the work. Score the surface first to stop paper fray.
Safety and dust control while cutting drywall
Scoring creates little dust. Saws and rotary tools can kick up plenty. A good mask or a respirator rated for dust, eye protection, and hearing protection make the job safer. NIOSH explains respirator basics for construction tasks here: drywall sanding dust controls. If you must sand near the cut, hook a vacuum to the sander or use a wet-sanding sponge. OSHA also notes that dry sanding joint compound creates nuisance dust; use controls and protection when needed.
- Cut outdoors or in a ventilated room when you can.
- Score-and-snap first; saw only when the shape needs it.
- Set rotary depth just past the board to avoid gouging framing and wiring.
- Scan walls with a stud finder set to AC alert before plunging a blade.
Blade care and bit choices that matter
The cut quality lives or dies with the edge you’re using. Swap blades and bits early, not late.
Workflow to cut, hang, and keep edges straight
Measure once, mark many
Layout all cuts on the stack before you pick up the knife. Group openings that line up across sheets and pop one chalk line so every panel shares the same reference.
Cut on horses, not the floor
Raise the work. A pair of sturdy horses saves your back and gives the knife a clean path. Keep scraps under the cut to protect the tip when the blade exits.
Hang, then trim
Hang factory edges to butt a stud centerline where possible. After the sheet is fastened, shave proud edges with the rasp.
Fixing common cutting problems
Torn paper on the face
Causes: dull blade, shaky square, or too much pressure. Cure: swap blades, clamp or hold the square with your forearm, and let the knife glide. Skim torn areas with a thin coat of mud before tape.
Edges that don’t meet cleanly
Causes: wandering score or a bowed sheet. Cure: rescore along a straightedge and snap again, or shave with a rasp. Leave a small gap at inside corners so sheets don’t push each other out of plane.
Outlet holes off by a bit
Causes: measuring from the wrong corner or forgetting gypsum thickness. Cure: mark from two sides and subtract thickness so the box lands flush. A rotary tool set to the right depth will self-guide on the box and save patching.
When power saws make sense
A circular saw with a fine blade can rip stacks of panels on large jobs. It’s fast but dusty. If you go this route, cut outside, wear a respirator, and set the blade shallow. Most home projects stay cleaner with knives, saws, and a rotary tool.
What to use to cut sheetrock: beginner setup
Starting from scratch? Grab a knife and blades, a T-square, a drywall saw, a rasp, and a handful of screws. Add a mid-priced rotary tool when you’re ready to speed up boxes and vents. With that kit you can score-and-snap straight lines, cut clean openings, and hang sheets that tape quickly. If you want a deep reference, the Gypsum Association’s GA-216 standard lines up with everything above.
Pro tricks that save time
Stack and gang cut
Cut two sheets at once to keep seams aligned. Score through the top face, snap both together, then slice the back papers. This keeps edges square and speeds repeats like closet backs or knee walls.
Knife as a gauge
Set the knife handle against trim and let the tip mark reveal cuts on scribe fits. Follow with a shallow score on the line, snap, and shave. This beats trial and error when sheets meet wavy surfaces.
Mark boxes with lip prints
Lightly rub lipstick or chalk on the box flange. Press the sheet in place and pull it back. The transfer shows the exact outline so the cut lands dead on the box.
Working with different board types
Standard and lightweight
Both cut with the same knife routine. Lightweight panels snap with less effort, which helps on ceilings. Use a softer touch to avoid over-scoring and tearing.
Moisture-resistant and tile backers
Greenboard scores and snaps like standard, though the face can feel tougher. Cement backer board is another story; use a carbide scorer and shears or a diamond blade outdoors. Don’t push a drywall saw through cement board.
Fire-rated panels
Type X panels have denser cores. Use a fresh blade and a confident pass. Expect a little more effort on the snap, then finish the back paper with two smooth pulls.
| Task | Blade / Bit | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Straight score | Sharp snap-off or trapezoid knife blade | One firm score beats three weak passes |
| Outlet cut | Rotary drywall bit | Depth 1/8 in. past board; trace clockwise |
| Door or window | Drywall saw | Drill a starter hole; saw to the line |
| Round can light | Hole saw | Drill from the face; support the back |
| Flush trim at cabinets | Oscillating drywall blade | Score paint edge first to avoid tear-out |
Cleanup and disposal without the mess
Control the offcuts
Cut over a tarp so scraps gather in one place. Keep a dedicated bin for small pieces that can back a patch later. Score long offcuts into shorter lengths so they stack neatly for hauling.
Keep dust off the house
Close doors, tape a plastic flap over the work entry, and run a box fan in a window blowing out. Wipe the face of each cut with a barely damp cloth before hanging so mud bonds well.
Protect floors and tools
Drywall dust is fine and drifts. Cover floors with rosin paper taped at the seams. Knock dust off squares and the rasp with a soft brush so measurements stay true and edges don’t clog. Bag debris tight to keep dust from spreading.