Wall Framing Materials List: Studs, Plates, Drywall, Supplies
Part of the project planners: Planning a shed, pergola, garage slab or coop and Planning to frame and finish a wall.
A 20 × 8 ft wall with two corners and a door, framed at 16 inch spacing and covered with drywall on both sides, needs 26 studs of 8 ft, 8 plates of 8 ft, about 156 framing nails, 11 sheets of drywall, 352 drywall screws, 1 roll of tape and 1 box of joint compound.
The materials list
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Studs, 2×4 × 8 ft | 26 studs | Wall framing calculator: one every 16 in, plus the end studs, two corners and the door framing, with spares |
| Plates | 8 pieces of 8 ft (60 ft) | One bottom plate and two top plates along the whole wall |
| Framing nails, 16d | About 156 | Six per stud: two at each end and toe-nails |
| Drywall, 4 × 8 ft | 11 sheets | Both faces, with 10% waste |
| Drywall screws | About 352 | Screws at 12 in on the stud lines |
| Joint tape | 1 roll of 250 ft | For the seams and corners |
| Joint compound | 1 box of 4.5 gallons | Three coats over the tape and screws |
| Insulation (optional) | 160 ft² of batts | For a 3½ in cavity, less the openings |
Spacing changes the count
| Stud spacing | Studs for the 20 ft wall |
|---|---|
| 12 in | 31 |
| 16 in | 26 |
| 24 in | 20 |
A window adds studs and a header; the same wall with one window needs 30 studs.
Studs and plates for other plain walls
16 inch spacing, no doors or corners:
| Wall | Studs | Plates of 8 ft | Drywall sheets (both sides) | Nails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 ft | 8 | 3 | 5 | 48 |
| 10 × 8 ft | 10 | 4 | 6 | 60 |
| 12 × 8 ft | 11 | 5 | 7 | 66 |
| 16 × 8 ft | 14 | 6 | 9 | 84 |
| 20 × 8 ft | 17 | 8 | 11 | 102 |
| 30 × 9 ft | 26 | 12 | 19 | 156 |
Before you build
- Check the plans and your code for the stud size, spacing, headers and fire blocking, especially for load-bearing walls.
- Use straight, dry lumber, and sight along each board. Crowned boards go crown up.
- Frame it flat on the floor, then tip it up.
- Check the wall is square by measuring the diagonals (see our check square calculator) and plumb with a level.
- Add blocking where fixtures, cabinets or grab bars will go.
See also the drywall materials list. Estimates only: check your local code.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs do I need for a 20 ft wall?
26 studs of 8 ft for a 20 ft wall at 16 inch spacing, with two corners and a door, including doubled studs and spares. At 24 inches it is 20, and at 12 inches 31.
How many plates do I need?
One bottom plate and two top plates: 60 ft of lumber, which is 8 pieces of 8 ft.
How many sheets of drywall for a wall?
11 sheets of 4 × 8 ft for a 20 × 8 ft wall covered on both sides, with 10% waste.
How far apart should studs be?
Sixteen inches on center is standard for load-bearing walls and most partitions; 24 inches is used for some non-load-bearing walls and with larger lumber. Check your code.
How many nails per stud?
About 6: two at the top, two at the bottom, and toe-nails. 156 nails for this wall.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.