About this calculator
A quick takeoff for a framed wall: studs at your spacing, extra studs for corners and openings, top and bottom plates in stock lengths, and optional sheathing.
How it’s calculated
Layout studs = (wall length ÷ spacing) + 1. Each corner or junction adds 2 studs, and each opening adds 3 for kings, jacks and cripples (cripples usually come from offcuts). The plate run is the wall length × the number of plate rows.
Worked example
With these inputs:
- Wall length
- 24 ft
- Wall height
- 8 ft
- Spacing (on centre)
- 16" OC
- Stud size
- 2×4
- Corners and wall junctions
- 2
- Door and window openings
- 1
- Double top plate
- Yes
- Include sheathing / boarding one side
- No
- Sheathing sheet size
- 4 × 8 ft
- Waste allowance
- 10%
the result is:
- Studs needed
- 29 studs
- Studs on layout
- 19
- Extra at corners & openings
- 7
- Stud length (wall − plates)
- 7' 7-1/2"
- Plate run (3 rows)
- 72 lin ft
Tips from the trade
- Headers over openings are sized from span tables or by your engineer. Add them as separate items.
- On 8 ft walls with a double top plate, precut 92⅝" studs give a finished height of 97⅛" to suit 8 ft drywall.
- Mark your layout from the same end on every wall so studs line up for sheathing joints.
Common questions
How many studs do I need per foot of wall?
At 16" OC, roughly 1 stud per foot of wall once you include corners and openings.
Results are estimates for planning and pricing. Check quantities against your drawings, the manufacturer’s data and local building codes before ordering.