When hanging drywall, how far apart should I space the drywall fasteners?

Q: When hanging drywall, how far apart should I space the drywall fasteners?

A: Fastener spacing for installing gypsum panels depends on the particular drywall application and fastener type. For example, when nailing to wood framing members, United States Gypsum Corporation (USG, the manufacturers of Sheetrock) recommends the spacing is 7 inches for ceilings, and 8 inches for walls. When screwing into wood and steel construction the spacing is 12 inches on ceilings and 16 inches for walls. EHT recommends using screws for drywall installation to prevent nail pops in the future.