What is the best way to find a stud in a wall? How far apart are studs?
Stud Finder: How It Works
- Use a stud finder. This is the simplest, most effective way to find studs. Slide the stud finder across the wall and it will beep and/or light up when it crosses a stud.
How do you find a stud in the wall if you don’t have a stud finder?
- If you don’t have a stud finder, there are several methods that can be effective in finding studs. When a home is framed, the wall studs are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. If you start in a corner and measure out 16 inches and you don’t find a stud, you should find one at 24 inches.
- You can also try holding a flashlight against a wall and looking down the wall to see if you can tell where two pieces of drywall meet. At that intersection, you’ll definitely find a stud.
- Look for light switches and electrical outlets, too. Those are usually mounted on the side of studs, so that’s a good starting point for finding them.
- When you think you’ve found a stud (if you’re not using a stud finder), confirm it by driving a thin finishing nail through the drywall near the baseboard to see if you hit a stud.
- Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.
Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake Ace Hardware nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.
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