Stud Calculator
Work out exactly how many studs a wall run needs, including a simple rule-of-thumb allowance for door and window openings. Add your own price for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
The calculator works out how many evenly spaced studs a wall run needs, adds one for the starting stud, then adds a flat allowance per opening for the extra king and jack studs framing typically needs:
studs_on_center = ceil(wall_length_ft × 12 / spacing_in) + 1 extra_studs_per_opening = 3 // king + jack studs, roughly total_studs = studs_on_center + (openings × extra_studs_per_opening)
The 3-studs-per-opening figure is a simple planning rule of thumb — it doesn't account for cripple studs above headers or below sills, which vary by opening size and header height, so treat it as a reasonable estimate rather than an exact framing takeoff.
Worked example
Two 20 ft walls (40 ft combined), 16" on center, 3 openings:
- On-center studs: ceil(40 × 12 ÷ 16) + 1 = 30 + 1 = 31.
- Opening allowance: 3 × 3 = 9.
- Total: 31 + 9 = 40 studs.
At $4.25 per stud, that example totals 40 × $4.25 =$170.
Measuring your walls
- Wall length — one entry per wall run, in feet.
- Spacing — confirm which spacing your plan or local code calls for; see the FAQ below.
- Openings — count every door and window opening across all the walls you've entered.
- Plates — not included here; see the reference figure in the results and the FAQ below.
How much do studs cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Give a price per stud, and it's multiplied straight through against the total count. The estimate doesn't include plate lumber, headers, or fasteners.
Frequently asked questions
16" vs 24" on-center spacing — when is each used?
16" is traditional and most common, often required for load-bearing walls. 24" uses fewer studs and can be code-compliant for many single-story or non-load-bearing walls, but needs rated sheathing and code approval for the application.
Why do window and door openings need extra studs?
An opening interrupts the continuous studs, so a header has to redirect that load around the opening to king studs and jack studs on either side, which then carry it down to the bottom plate.
What are king studs, jack studs and cripple studs?
King studs run full height beside an opening. Jack studs are shorter, supporting the header directly underneath it. Cripple studs fill the leftover space above a header or below a sill, keeping the spacing pattern going without carrying primary load.
Are top and bottom plates included in this stud count?
No — plates are calculated separately, typically about 2× wall length for a single top and bottom plate, or 3× for a double top plate, common in modern framing.