Stud Wall Calculator
Stud count for a framed wall: one per spacing plus one at the end, two extra at each corner or intersection, two at each door or window (king and jack studs), and 10% for waste. Plates are three times the wall length. Order precut studs for standard ceiling heights.
Order 43 studs + 8 plates — precut 92⅝″ studs come in lifts of 100; plates in 16 ft sticks.
- Wall length
- 40.0 ft
- Studs @ 16″ o.c.
- 31
- Corners (2) + openings (2)
- + 8
- Waste 10%
- + 4
- Studs to buy
- 43
- Plates (2 top + 1 bottom), 16 ft
- 8 sticks
- Sheathing, 4×8 sheets320 ft² one side
- 11 sheets
- Materials + delivery$3–$7 / stud · Sep 2026
- $204 – $376
- Installed (with labor)typ. $2,509
- $1,484 – $4,216
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What will this stud wall job cost?
See the installed price range for these quantities and get up to 3 quotes from local contractors. Free, no obligation.
How to calculate stud wall by hand
Studs = Length (ft) × 12 ÷ spacing (in) + 1 + 2 × corners + 2 × openings, × (1 + waste) · Plates = 3 × length ÷ 16 ft
Worked example
- Field studs: 40 ft × 12 ÷ 16″ = 30, plus 1 end stud = 31.
- Corners: 2 × 2 = 4 · Openings: 2 × 2 = 4 → 39 net.
- Waste 10%: 39 × 1.10 = 43 studs.
- Plates: 3 × 40 ft = 120 lf ÷ 16 ft = 8 sticks · Sheathing: 320 ft² ÷ 32 × 1.10 = 11 sheets.
- Studs per foot @ 16″ o.c.
- 0.75 + extras
- Studs per foot @ 24″ o.c.
- 0.5 + extras
- Precut stud, 8 ft ceiling
- 92⅝″
- Precut stud, 9 ft ceiling
- 104⅝″
Questions crews ask
How many studs do I need for a wall?
Wall length in feet × 0.75 for 16″ centres (0.5 for 24″), plus one, plus two per corner and two per opening, then add 10%. A 40 ft wall with two corners and two openings needs 39 studs; buy 43.
How many studs are in a 12 ft wall?
At 16″ o.c.: 12 × 0.75 = 9 + 1 = 10 studs, plus corners and openings. Add 2 for each corner it meets and 2 per door or window — a typical 12 ft bedroom wall with a window and two corners is 16 studs, order 18.
How long is a precut stud?
92⅝″ for an 8 ft ceiling (three plates bring it to 97⅛″, leaving room for ½″ drywall on the ceiling and floor clearance), 104⅝″ for 9 ft, 116⅝″ for 10 ft. Buy precuts — they are cheaper than 8-footers and save a cut.
How many plates does a wall need?
One bottom plate and a double top plate: three times the wall length in linear feet. Use the straightest 16-footers and stagger top-plate joints at least 4 ft from bottom-plate joints; lap the top plate at corners.
Should I frame at 16 or 24 inches on centre?
16″ is standard for load-bearing and anything with ½″ drywall; 24″ (advanced framing) saves about a third of the studs and is allowed for non-bearing walls and, with ⅝″ drywall or 2×6 studs, many bearing walls. Check your code.