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Wall framing calculator

16 studs6 plates · 6 sheets
Studs
16 studs (16 on layout + 0 extra)
Stud length
92-5/8"
Plates
6 × 16' (3 rows, 60' 0")
Sheathing
6 sheets 4' × 8' (161.88 SF)

These sketches are here to help you order material and price the work quickly. They are not engineered or shop drawings — always build from your approved project drawings.

For several walls, add up their lengths. Height is floor to the top of the top plate.

Stud spacing (on center)
Top plate
Plate stock length
Sheathing sheet

Headers, cripples and blocking are not counted or sized. Studs and spacing are structural — follow the plans.

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  1. Studs on layout
    wall length ÷ spacing, rounded up, + 1 for the end
    20' 0" ÷ 16" + 1 = 16
  2. Studs
    layout + extra
    16 + 0 = 16
  3. Stud length
    wall height − 3 plates × 1½"
    8' 1-1/8" − 3 × 1½" = 7' 8-5/8"
  4. Plates
    3 rows × (wall length ÷ 16', rounded up)
    3 × 20' 0" ÷ 16' = 6
  5. Sheathing
    length × height ÷ 32 SF, rounded up
    161.88 SF ÷ 32 SF = 6

Where the numbers come from

  • Stud layout: Studs = wall length ÷ spacing, rounded up, + 1 — 20' at 16" OC = 240 ÷ 16 + 1 = 16Studs sit at 0, 16, 32 … from one end, plus one at the far end. Worked out from the spacing; nothing to look up. Stud size, spacing and height limits are structural (IRC Table R602.3(5)) — check the plans.
  • Openings, corners and tees: Default: 4 per opening (2 king + 2 jack), 2 per corner (3-stud corner), 2 per TThese are common take-off allowances, editable under "Adjust". A traditional 3-stud corner is the layout stud plus 2; an insulated two-stud corner with drywall clips is plus 1 (PNNL Building America Solution Center, advanced framing corners). Wide openings may need double kings or jacks per the header table. Layout studs inside an opening are not taken off — they roughly cover the cripples above and below. Headers are not sized or counted.Source
  • Plates and stud length: Bottom plate + double top plate = 3 rows; each 2× plate is 1½" thickPlates are counted per row from whole sticks, so each row's splices stay separate (IRC R602.3: double top plate joints offset at least 24"). Stud length = wall height − plates; a 92-5/8" precut + 4½" of plates = 8' 1-1/8". Sheathing is 4' wide sheets (PS 1 / PS 2 panel size).Source

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Studs, plates and sheathing for a framed wall. Counts only — headers and structural sizing are not done here.