---
title: "Bed coat, block coat, finish coat | Drywall Glossary"
url: https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/coats-of-mud.html
language: en
author: James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat
updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Bed coat, block coat, finish coat

**These are the coats of mud over a joint. The bed (or tape) coat embeds the tape, the block (or fill) coat widens and fills it, and the finish (or skim) coat smooths it before sanding.**

## Why it matters on a drywall job

- The number of coats is usually what separates one finish level from the next.
- Each coat needs drying time, which affects your schedule and crew planning.

## Related guides and tools

- [Drywall finish levels guide](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/drywall-finish-levels.html)
- [Glossary: mud](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/mud.html)
- [All glossary terms](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/)

---

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