Measure 16-inch intervals from a corner

Measure 16 inches from an inside corner of the room and mark it — that is where the first stud center should be. Continue marking every 16 inches across the wall. Confirm each predicted location with knocking or a magnet.

Why It Works

Residential wall studs in post-1950s US construction are spaced 16 inches on center. Corners always contain studs. This predictable pattern lets you estimate every stud location from a single reference point.

Tips

• If 16-inch spacing doesn't match, try 24-inch spacing (common with 2x6 framing and some partition walls)
• Extra studs around windows, doors, and intersecting walls can shift the pattern by a few inches
• Load-bearing walls almost always use 16-inch spacing; non-load-bearing walls sometimes use 24-inch
• Always confirm predicted locations — measuring alone is a prediction, not a guarantee