Framing Calculator
Calculate wall framing materials including studs, plates, headers, and cost estimates for residential construction.
Should I use 16" or 24" stud spacing?
16" on-center (OC) is standard for most residential: Stronger walls, better for heavy loads, required for 1/2" drywall, easier nailing for sheathing. Use 16" for: Exterior walls, load-bearing walls, walls with heavy cabinets/tile. 24" OC allowed for: Non-load bearing interior walls, when using 5/8" drywall, cost savings (33% fewer studs). Code requires: Adequate sheathing/drywall thickness, proper engineering for load-bearing. 16" OC safer default - 24" requires planning and code verification.
How many studs do I need for a wall?
Formula: (Wall Length in inches / Spacing) + 1, rounded up. Include corner studs, extras for openings. Example: 12' wall (144 inches), 16 inches OC: 144/16 = 9 + 1 = 10 studs. Add: Corner posts (2-3 studs each corner), king studs beside openings (2 per door/window), jack studs under headers (2 per opening), cripples above/below openings. Typical 12' wall with one window needs ~14-16 studs total. Order 10-15% extra for waste, defects, and corrections.
What are plates in wall framing?
Plates are horizontal framing members: Bottom/Sole plate: Lies on floor, studs attach to it, must be pressure-treated if on concrete. Top plate: Single 2x4/2x6 on top of studs. Double/cap plate: Second top plate, overlaps joints for strength, ties walls together at corners. Length needed = wall length × 3 (bottom + top + double). Example: 40' of walls needs 120 linear feet of plate material. Use straight, dry lumber - warped plates make wavy walls.
How do I calculate headers for door and window openings?
Header: Horizontal beam above opening carrying roof/floor load. Size depends on span and load: 3' span: 2x6 double header. 4-5' span: 2x8 double. 6-7' span: 2x10 double. 8-10' span: 2x12 double or engineered beam. Single door (3' wide): 2x6 header (40 inches long including king studs). Garage door (16'): Engineered beam required. Non-load bearing walls can use 2x4 flat header. Headers made from: Two 2x boards with 1/2" plywood spacer, or solid LVL/PSL beam. Always verify with structural engineer for load-bearing.
What size lumber should I use for wall framing?
Standard framing lumber sizes: 2x4: Interior walls (3.5 inches deep), non-load bearing, standard 8' walls. Actual size: 1.5 inches × 3.5 inches. 2x6: Exterior walls (insulation space), load-bearing, better insulation (R-19 vs R-13). Actual: 1.5 inches × 5.5 inches. 2x8, 2x10, 2x12: Headers only, spanning openings. Length: Pre-cut 92-5/8 inches studs for 8' walls (with plates = 8' finished). 8', 10', 12', 16' lengths for plates and custom. Grade: #2 or better for studs, #1 for headers. Kiln-dried (KD) prevents shrinkage.
How much does wall framing material cost?
Typical costs (fluctuate with lumber prices): 2x4x8' stud: $3-6 each. 2x4x8' plate: $4-7 each. 2x6x8' (exterior): $6-10 each. OSB sheathing (4x8): $12-25/sheet. Hardware (nails, brackets): $50-100 per 1000 sq ft. Example: 10'x8' interior wall, 16 inches OC = 9 studs ($45) + 3 plates ($18) = $63 materials. Exterior with sheathing: +$30. Labor typically equals or exceeds materials. Engineered lumber (LVL) 3-4× cost of dimensional lumber.
What are jack studs and king studs?
Opening framing terminology: King studs: Full-height studs on each side of opening (door/window), run from bottom to top plate, support header. Jack/trimmer studs: Shorter studs inside kings, run from bottom plate to bottom of header, directly support header load. Cripple studs: Short studs above header (to top plate) or below window sill (to bottom plate), maintain 16/24 inches OC spacing. Example: 3' door needs 2 kings, 2 jacks, 1 header, 2-3 cripples above. Proper installation critical for structural integrity and preventing sagging.