WeekendCalc

Wall Stud Calculator

Enter the length and height of your wall, the stud spacing, and the doors and windows in it. You get the studs, the plate lumber and the sheathing for the wall.

Your project

corners
doors
windows
%

Spare studs for bowed or split pieces.

Results

Studs
30 studs
8.0 ft long, including corners, openings and spare
Studs at regular spacing
16 studs
Extra for corners and openings
12 studs

Plates

Plate lumber (1 bottom + 2 top)
60 linear ft
8 ft plates
8 pieces
12 ft plates
5 pieces

Sheathing

4×8 sheets (one side, no openings deducted)
6 sheets
  • A rule-of-thumb takeoff for planning. Headers, cripples, blocking and fire-stopping are not included. Structural framing must follow your plans and local building code.

How this calculator works

Studs are set at your spacing along the wall, with one at each end. Corners, door openings and window openings need extra studs (king, jack and corner studs). We count those on top of the regular spacing, then add a small allowance for bad boards. A wall also needs a bottom plate and a double top plate, which is three times the wall length in plate lumber.

studs = (⌈length × 12 ÷ spacing⌉ + 1 + 2 × corners + 4 × doors + 4 × windows) × (1 + waste %)

Worked example: a 20 ft wall at 16 in on center with two corners, one door and one window: 15 + 1 = 16 regular studs, plus 4 for corners, 4 for the door and 4 for the window, which is 28. With 5% spare, buy 30 studs.

Tips before you buy

  • Precut studs for 8 ft walls are 92⅝ in long, so that with three plates the wall comes out at 8 ft 1⅛ in, and a standard drywall sheet fits.
  • Wider spacing (24 in) saves lumber, but needs to be allowed by the load on the wall and the wall covering. Always check your plans.
  • Add headers over doors and windows as your plans specify. A header's size depends on the span and load.
  • Straight studs matter. Sight down each board and keep the crowned ones for load-bearing walls with the crown up.

Tools & materials for this project

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Framing nailerFraming nailsChalk lineFraming squareStud finder

Frequently asked questions

How many studs do I need for a 20 foot wall?

At 16 in spacing, 16 for the regular run, plus extras for corners, doors and windows. For a plain wall with two corners that is roughly 20, and more with openings.

Should studs be 16 or 24 inches on center?

16 in is the standard for most load-bearing walls and works best with 4-ft-wide drywall and sheathing. 24 in framing (advanced framing) is allowed in some cases, so check your plans or code.

How many plates does a wall need?

One bottom plate and a doubled top plate, so three times the wall length in linear feet.

Related calculators & guides

Drywall CalculatorSheets of drywall, screws, tape and joint compound.Board Foot CalculatorBoard feet and cost of lumber from thickness, width and length.Deck Board CalculatorDecking boards, joists and screws for a deck.Roofing CalculatorRoof area, squares and shingle bundles from your footprint and pitch.

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.