How many studs do I need for a wall?

For a plain wall, divide the length in inches by the stud spacing, round up and add one: a 12 ft wall at 16″ on center needs 144 ÷ 16 = 9, plus 1 = 10 studs. Then add 2 king and 2 jack studs per door or window, 1–2 extra studs per corner and 2 per T-intersection, and 10% for waste.

Home / Studs by wall length

How many studs for a wall?

Studs = wall length in inches ÷ spacing, rounded up, + 1. The chart is computed with the same layout engine as the stud calculator.

Plain wall, studs only (one at each end plus every layout mark). Add 2 king + 2 jack studs per opening and 1–2 per corner.
Wall length	12″ o.c.	16″ o.c.	19.2″ o.c.	24″ o.c.	Plates (3 rows)
4 ft	5	4	4	3	3 × 8′
6 ft	7	6	5	4	3 × 8′
8 ft	9	7	6	5	3 × 8′
10 ft	11	9	8	6	3 × 10′
12 ft	13	10	9	7	3 × 12′
14 ft	15	12	10	8	3 × 14′
16 ft	17	13	11	9	3 × 16′
18 ft	19	15	13	10	3 × 18′
20 ft	21	16	14	11	3 × 20′
22 ft	23	18	15	12	6 × 20′ + 8′
24 ft	25	19	16	13	6 × 20′ + 8′
26 ft	27	21	18	14	6 × 20′ + 8′
28 ft	29	22	19	15	6 × 20′ + 8′
30 ft	31	24	20	16	6 × 20′ + 10′
32 ft	33	25	21	17	6 × 20′ + 12′
34 ft	35	27	23	18	6 × 20′ + 14′
36 ft	37	28	24	19	6 × 20′ + 16′
38 ft	39	30	25	20	6 × 20′ + 18′
40 ft	41	31	26	21	6 × 20′ + 20′

Then add

Each door or window: 2 king studs, 2 jack studs (4 over 6 ft wide), cripples and a header.
Each corner: 1 (2-stud corner) or 2 (3-stud corner) extra studs.
Each T-intersection: 2 backing studs.
About 10% waste.

Walls by length

Planning estimates only. Stud counts and lumber lists are for budgeting and ordering. Structural sizes — headers, joists, beams, posts, footings, ledgers and guards — must follow your local building code. Verify with your building department or a licensed professional before you build.