Wall studs are typically are 16 inches or 24 inches apart. However, in some cases, the distance between stud centers is irregular.
This article covers everything you need to know about wall stud spacing. It includes information on stud measurements, standard and irregular stud spacing, variations between houses and rooms, and more.
16 Inches
Residential wall studs are usually 16 inches apart at center. This is what national building codes stipulate, and it’s the standard practice for many contractors. Mechanical engineer Colin Young says, “Wall studs should always be spaced as such. This is a building code measurement.”
A 16-inch space between stud centers is useful for several reasons.
For one, it provides sufficient strength to carry the weight and loads you place on it. This is because the smaller the distance between studs, the more studs there are in a given area to provide greater structural support.
This stud spacing also makes it easier for you to work with drywall and insulation. As they’re mostly designed to be secured on studs that are 16 inches apart (on center), these fixtures are easy to find and install.
24 Inches
Regardless of what building codes say and what contractors believe to be the norm, residential wall studs can be 24 inches apart.
In my experience, I’ve found that 24-inch stud spacing is mostly found within the walls of older homes. But older homes aside, this stud spacing is also used in exterior walls.
Also, since it requires less wood than 16-inch spacing, contractors use it in certain areas to reduce material and costs. Unfortunately, this makes the 24-inch stud spacing unable to bear as much weight as its counterpart.
Tip: 24-inch stud spacing is often used with metal studs. To learn more about this, check out our article about the types of wall studs.
Irregular Spacing
When the distance between stud centers is anything but 16 inches or 24 inches, then your studs are spaced irregularly. This usually results from construction errors, renovations, and plumbing or electrical installations.
With irregular spaces, studs are not where you’d expect them to be and you run the risk of drilling into non-stud areas. This makes it challenging to install wall finishes and mount wall fixtures.
How to Measure the Distance Between Wall Studs
People wrongly believe that stud spacing refers to the void between two studs in the wall. In reality, however, it is the distance between the middle of one stud and the middle of the next. It’s also the distance between the edge of one stud and the same edge of the next one.
In other words, studs are measured in two ways: from edge to edge, and center to center. Both methods are as their names imply.
To use the edge-to-edge measurement, take a measuring tape, place it on one end of a stud, and measure to the corresponding end of the next stud.
For the center-to-center measurement, measure from the middle of one stud to the middle of the next. The only catch here is that you’ll have to find that middle point. To do this, just measure the width and divide it by two. Standard wall studs are 3.5 inches wide, so you’ll likely find the center 1.75 inches from the edge.
FAQ About Stud Spacing
Are Wall Studs Always 16 Inches Apart?
No, they’re not. While the standard practice is for studs in residential homes to be 16 inches apart, 24-inch and 12-inch stud spacing is not unheard of. To know the exact gap between your wall studs, you’ll have to try to locate them.
Is Stud Spacing the Same Across All Rooms in My Home?
Stud spacing within a home is generally consistent but can differ in certain parts of the house.
While studs in load-bearing walls are usually uniformly spaced at 16-inch intervals, the ones in non-load-bearing walls — that do not require much support—can be 24 inches apart.
Likewise, while the studs in most other parts of your home can be 16 inches apart, studs in your basement may be spaced at 24-inch intervals.
Is Stud Spacing the Same Across All Houses?
The spacing between studs can vary from house to house. While stud spacing is mostly 16 inches in newer homes, it’s 24 inches for older ones. A building’s age, size, and its design can affect stud spacing.
How Do I Find the Exact Distance Between My Studs?
There are several ways to pinpoint the exact distance between one stud center and another. To learn, read our step-by-step guide on How to Find Wall Studs and How to Find Studs Without a Stud Finder.
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