Stud Wall Calculator

One stud per on-center interval plus an end stud covers the run; each corner adds two studs for backing and each opening adds two for king and jack framing. Plates are figured as a double top plate and single bottom plate — three times the wall length in lineal feet.

Common uses

• Buy studs for a partition wall in one trip
• Rough out framing lumber for a garage build

Example

20 ft wall, 16 in OC, 2 corners, 1 opening

22 studs · 60 lineal ft of plate

Limitations

• Headers, cripples, and blocking are not counted
• Add 5–10% for crooked or damaged studs

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

16 studs at 16 in on center — one per 16 in interval plus an end stud — or 11 at 24 in on center. Each corner adds two studs for drywall backing and each door or window adds two for the king and jack, so a 20 ft wall with two corners and one opening comes to 22.

Should studs be 16 or 24 inches on center?

16 in on center is the residential default and supports drywall and siding better; 24 in on center (advanced framing) saves lumber and leaves more room for insulation, but usually calls for 2x6 studs on load-bearing walls and thicker drywall to avoid visible bowing. Check what your plans and local code allow before framing at 24 in.

How much plate lumber does a wall need?

Three times the wall length in lineal feet — a double top plate plus a single bottom plate. A 20 ft wall needs 60 lineal ft, which is four 16 ft boards with a little left over.

Why do corners need extra studs?

A corner has to give the drywall on the intersecting wall something to fasten to, so it's framed as a post rather than a single stud. This calculator adds two studs per corner, matching the common three-stud corner; openings get two more each for the king stud and the jack that carries the header.

Do my framing dimensions leave my browser?

No. The stud and plate counts are computed locally as you type — wall lengths, corner counts, and openings are never uploaded or logged.