Free Tool
Wall Framing Calculator
Work out how many studs, how much plate and how many plate boards a framed wall needs. Enter the wall, add its openings, and read the counting rules below the result so you can check every number.
Calculate your wall
Result
Stud count
Plate boards by stock length
Boards needed if you buy plate in one stock length. Bottom plate and top plate are combined.
Materials list
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How the calculator counts
- Field studs. The wall length in inches divided by the spacing, rounded up, plus one for the end stud.
- Openings. Every stud that would land inside an opening is removed from the field count. Each opening then adds 2 king studs and 2 jack studs.
- Cripples. A door gets cripples above the header, one per spacing interval across the opening, with a minimum of one. A window gets the same above the header plus the same number below the sill.
- Corners. Each corner adds 2 studs for a three-stud corner with an inside nailing surface.
- Intersections. Each place another wall meets this wall adds 2 studs for a backing channel.
- Plates. One bottom plate course and one or two top plate courses, each as long as the wall. The bottom plate is counted unbroken across door openings, which keeps the count on the safe side.
- Waste. Your percentage is added to the stud total and the plate length, then rounded up to whole pieces.
- Stud length. The wall height less the plates the studs sit between, using 1-1/2 in plate thickness. Check the length against pre-cut stock with your supplier.
Headers are not sized here. Header size is an engineering decision. It comes from the Ontario Building Code span tables or from the project designer or engineer. Use the drawings for header material and bearing.
This tool estimates material quantities for planning. It does not replace the drawings, the Ontario Building Code or an engineer.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs do I need for a wall?
Divide the wall length in inches by the stud spacing, round up, and add one for the end of the wall. A 20 foot wall at 16 inches on centre needs 15 plus 1, so 16 field studs, before openings, corners, intersections and waste.
What do king studs, jack studs and cripples do?
A king stud runs full height beside an opening. A jack stud, also called a trimmer, is fastened to the king stud and carries the end of the header. Cripple studs are the short pieces above a header or below a window sill that keep the stud pattern going so sheathing and drywall have backing.
Which stud spacing should I choose?
Sixteen inches on centre is the usual choice for exterior, load-bearing and most interior walls. Twenty-four inches is used where the Ontario Building Code tables and the stud size, wall height and load allow it. Twelve inches is used for heavier loads or taller walls. The drawings or the designer set the spacing.
Does the calculator size headers?
No. Header size is an engineering decision that depends on the span and the load above it. It comes from the span tables in the Ontario Building Code or from the project designer or engineer. The calculator counts the king studs, jack studs and cripples around each opening and leaves the header out.
Why add a waste allowance?
Some studs arrive crowned, split or twisted, and cuts leave offcuts that cannot always be reused. A waste allowance covers that. Ten percent is a common starting point for a simple wall, and a complex layout with many angles or openings may justify more.
Is this a quote?
No. It is a planning tool for material quantities. A quote depends on the drawings, the site, the material package and the schedule. Contact us and we will review your plans and arrange a free site visit.
For more on layout, corners and plates, read Wall Framing Basics.
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Want a framing quote?
Send your plans, photos or a description of the project. We will arrange a free site visit and return an itemized quote.
