20 ft wall, 16" spacing, 2 openings
- Studs ≈ 23
construction calculator
Wall Stud Count Calculator
Estimate how many studs are needed for a wall based on length, spacing, and openings.
Results
- Studs required
- 20.00
How to use this calculator
- Enter total wall length, stud spacing, and number of openings.
- We divide length by spacing to estimate field studs and add two studs per opening plus an end stud.
- Use the total to create your lumber list and add extras if desired.
Inputs explained
- Wall length
- Total length of the wall run in feet.
- Spacing
- On-center stud spacing (commonly 16" or 24").
- Openings
- Number of doors/windows; we add two studs for each king/jack pair.
How it works
We divide wall length by spacing (converted to feet) to find baseline stud count, then add two studs per opening plus one end stud.
Formula
Studs = ceil(length / spacing) + (openings × 2) + 1
When to use it
- Quickly estimating studs for a new wall or remodel.
- Comparing 16" vs 24" spacing to see lumber savings.
- Building a material list before heading to the yard.
Tips & cautions
- Add extra studs for corners, blocking, and potential warped pieces.
- If using California corners or ladder blocking, include those studs separately.
- Round up to the next whole stud—lumber yards sell whole pieces only.
- Focuses on field studs and simple openings; does not account for headers, cripples, or trimmers explicitly.
- Assumes straight walls with even spacing; irregular layouts need manual adjustments.
- Plates, blocking, and sheathing are outside this calculation.
Worked examples
12 ft wall, 24" spacing, no openings
- Studs ≈ 7
Deep dive
Estimate wall stud counts fast by entering wall length, spacing, and openings to build a lumber list.
Great for framers and DIYers who need a quick count before buying materials—toggle 16" vs 24" spacing to see the difference.
FAQs
- Does this include plates?
- No. Order plates based on wall length (two top plates + one bottom plate).
- What about corners?
- Add extra studs if you use California corners or blocking. This calculator focuses on field studs only.
Related calculators
construction
Concrete Volume Calculator
Estimate cubic yards, cubic feet, and bag counts for slabs, footings, and post holes.
construction
Paint Coverage Calculator
Estimate gallons of paint needed based on wall area, coats, and coverage rate.
construction
Tile Calculator
Determine tile counts and total area including waste.
construction
Gravel Volume Calculator
Estimate cubic yards and tons of gravel required for driveways, pads, or drainage projects.
Always follow structural plans and codes. Add spares for mistakes or warped lumber.