Wall Stud Calculator
Enter your wall length and stud spacing to get how many studs you need, plus the plate lumber for the top and bottom.
Wall studs are the vertical framing members in a wall. They're normally spaced 16 inches on-center (the standard for load-bearing walls), sometimes 24 inches for non-load-bearing walls. This tool gives the field studs; remember to add extras at corners and around openings.
How to calculate how many studs you need
Divide the wall length by the spacing and round up, then add one stud so both ends are covered.
Studs = (Wall length ÷ spacing) rounded up + 1
Plate lumber = Wall length × 3 (bottom plate + double top plate)
Plate lumber = Wall length × 3 (bottom plate + double top plate)
| Spacing | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 16 in on-center | Standard for load-bearing exterior and interior walls |
| 24 in on-center | Non-load-bearing partitions, advanced framing |
| 12 in on-center | Heavy loads or tall walls |
Worked example
A 20 ft wall at 16 in on-center:
| Length = 20 ft = 240 in | |
| Studs = 240 ÷ 16 | 15 |
| Plus one for the end | 16 studs |
| Plate lumber = 20 × 3 | 60 ft |
Feet or metres?
Use the toggle to enter the wall length in metres. Stud spacing stays in the standard on-center inch values.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs do I need for a 20-foot wall?
At 16 in on-center, a 20 ft wall needs about 16 studs for the field, plus extras for corners and any openings.
What is 16 inches on-center?
It means the centre of one stud to the centre of the next is 16 inches apart — the standard spacing for most framed walls.
Does this include corners and openings?
No. Add roughly 2–3 studs per corner and 2 per door or window opening (for king and jack studs) on top of the field count.
Related calculators
Field-stud estimate for straight walls. Framing for load-bearing walls should follow local building codes and any engineered plans.