Stud Calculator
Count the studs, plates and nails needed to frame a wall.
What you'll need to order
- 2x4 or 2x6 studs
- plate lumber
- 16d framing nails
- anchor bolts
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
studs = (wall length × 12 ÷ spacing) + 1 + (corners × 2)
Plates are trebled because a wall has one bottom plate and a doubled top plate. Openings need king studs, jack studs and cripples on top of this count — add those separately per opening.
Switch the site to metric — the control is in the footer — and your inputs, your results and the tables below follow. The formula, the constants, the guidance text and the sources stay in US units on purpose: that is how the standards they come from are written, and restating them would detach each figure from the document you are meant to be able to check it against.
Where these numbers come from
- ICC International Residential Code 2021, R602.3 — stud size, spacing and plate requirements for load-bearing walls
Cited to a specific edition on purpose — table numbers and values move between cycles. Confirm against whichever edition is enforced locally.
Worked example
With wall length 20 ft, stud spacing 16 in, corners and intersections 2 , this calculator returns 20 .
Studs needed by wall length
Figures below assume stud spacing 16 in × corners and intersections 2 . Every row here opens the calculator already filled in. Copy that link and the numbers travel with it.
| Wall length | Studs needed | Field studs (before extras) | Plate material (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 11.00 | 7.00 | 24.00 |
| 10 ft | 12.50 | 8.50 | 30.00 |
| 12 ft | 14.00 | 10.00 | 36.00 |
| 16 ft | 17.00 | 13.00 | 48.00 |
| 20 ft | 20.00 | 16.00 | 60.00 |
| 24 ft | 23.00 | 19.00 | 72.00 |
| 32 ft | 29.00 | 25.00 | 96.00 |
16 inch centres with two corners. Plate footage covers one bottom plate and a doubled top plate.
Stud counts for common walls
Each row is a link that fills in the calculator above. Send one and the other end sees the same figures you do.
| Job | Size | Studs needed |
|---|---|---|
| Closet partition | 8 ft × 16 in × 2 | 11.00 |
| Bedroom partition | 12 ft × 16 in × 2 | 14.00 |
| Basement perimeter run | 40 ft × 16 in × 4 | 39.00 |
| Garage wall, 24 in centres | 24 ft × 24 in × 2 | 17.00 |
| Full basement finish | 130 ft × 16 in × 8 | 114.5 |
Counts cover the field studs and corners. Add a king and jack stud each side of every opening, plus cripples above and below — a standard door adds about four studs.
Stud spacing and what it suits
| Type | Spacing (in on centre) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16 in on centre | 16.00 | The residential default, required under most load cases |
| 24 in on centre | 24.00 | Advanced framing; needs 5/8 in drywall |
| 12 in on centre | 12.00 | Tall walls and heavy point loads |
| 19.2 in on centre | 19.20 | Five bays per 8 ft sheet; rare in walls |
Spacing is set by load, wall height and the sheathing you plan to use. Half-inch drywall sags visibly on 24 inch centres, which is why advanced framing pairs with 5/8 in board.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs for a 10 foot wall?
Nine field studs at 16 inch centres, plus two per corner. The formula is wall length in inches divided by spacing, plus one for the end.
How many studs in a 100 foot wall?
Seventy-six field studs at 16 inch centres. Add two per corner and about four per door or window opening.
How much lumber for wall plates?
Three times the wall length — one bottom plate and a doubled top plate. A 40 ft wall needs 120 linear feet, so twelve 10 ft pieces.
How many studs do I need for a 20 foot wall?
Sixteen field studs at 16 inch centres, plus two for each corner or intersection. A 20 ft wall with two corners needs about 20 studs before accounting for door and window framing.
Should studs be 16 or 24 inches apart?
Sixteen inches is the residential standard and required for most load-bearing walls with 2x4 framing. Twenty-four inch spacing works with 2x6 studs and saves lumber, but needs thicker drywall to avoid visible waves.
Why are top plates doubled?
The second top plate ties intersecting walls together and lets joists and rafters land anywhere along the wall rather than only over a stud. It is required by code on load-bearing walls.
How many studs go around a window?
Two king studs full height, two jack studs supporting the header, and cripples above and below at the same spacing as the field studs. Budget four extra studs per opening as a rough guide.