Stud Calculator
Enter your wall length and stud spacing to get the number of studs you need, with corner studs included.
What your result means
Studs is your count for one wall, including the end stud and a couple extra for the corner assembly. Order a few more than this, since every lumber stack has some bowed and twisted boards you won't want in a wall. Pre-cut studs are 92 5/8 inches for a standard 8 ft ceiling.
How to use this calculator
- Measure wall length.
- Use 16 in OC for standard residential framing.
- Use 24 in OC for non-load-bearing walls.
- Read stud count (includes corner extras).
- Add a few extra for waste and crooked lumber.
The formula
Divide the wall length in inches by the spacing and round up for the number of bays, then add one for the end. Add two more for the corner assembly.
Worked example
Say you've got a 16 ft wall on 16 inch centers. That's 192 inches divided by 16, so 12 bays, plus 1 end stud, plus 2 for the corner, giving 15 studs.
Stud spacing and sizing
| Wall type | Spacing | Stud size |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing | 16 in OC | 2x4 (or 2x6 exterior) |
| Non-load-bearing interior | 24 in OC | 2x4 |
| Exterior, cold climate | 16 in OC | 2x6 |
Tips & gotchas
- 16 inch on-center is the residential standard for load-bearing walls.
- 24 inch on-center is fine for non-load-bearing interior walls, sometimes called advanced framing.
- Add two extra studs per corner for the corner assembly.
- Pre-cut studs are 92 5/8 inches for a standard 8 ft wall with plates.
- Order extras. Bowed studs always turn up in the stack.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs do I need for a 10 ft wall?
About 9 in the wall line at 16 inch spacing, plus a couple at each corner. The calculator gives your exact count.
16 inch or 24 inch on center?
16 for load-bearing walls, 24 for non-load-bearing interior walls where you want the energy savings.
What size are studs?
2x4 (actually 1.5 by 3.5) is standard. 2x6 for exterior walls in cold climates.
Are studs 8 ft long?
Pre-cut studs are 92 5/8 inches, which gives a standard 8 ft ceiling once you add the plates.
Do I need fire blocking?
Yes, in walls over 10 ft tall and at floor-to-ceiling transitions. It's code-required.
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