Get a quick material count for framing a stud wall. Enter the wall length and stud spacing, then add corners and openings — each needs extra studs for backing, king studs and jack studs.
Cripple studs above and below openings, blocking and fire blocking are not included; many framers add about 10% extra studs to cover them.
Formula
Studs = ⌊Wall length ÷ Spacing⌋ + 1 + 2 × Corners + 4 × Openings
Plate length = wall length × number of plates (usually three: one bottom and a doubled top plate).
Worked example
A 20 ft wall at 16 inches on centre needs 240 ÷ 16 + 1 = 16 studs. One window adds 4 more, for 20 studs, plus 60 ft of plate for a bottom and double top plate.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs do I need per foot of wall?
At 16 in on centre, roughly one stud per foot of wall once you include corners and openings — a common rule of thumb for estimating.
16 or 24 inches on centre?
16 in is standard for most load-bearing walls; 24 in is allowed for some walls under modern codes and saves lumber. Check your local code.
Last updated · Calculations checked by automated tests· Editorial policy