5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder

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If you’re like most people, you’ve probably tried to use a stud finder at some point in time. A stud finder can be a helpful tool but can also be challenging to use and even lead to false positives. So rather than relying on a stud finder tool to determine your wall’s hanging capacity, why not try a more reliable method? Read on to learn five options for locating a wall stud without a stud finder that anyone can do!

Wall Studs Explained

The role of wall studs is to hold up the drywall on your interior walls and the sheathing on exterior walls. Studs are usually made of wood in residential homes and metal in commercial buildings. However, more homes these days do also have metal studs.

Wall studs can be found in the top, bottom, header, or footer and corners of walls. You can usually find them attached to outlets and switches on one side of the wall. They are also on either side of windows, and most baseboards are nailed into studs. The size of lumber of the wood studs is usually two by four, and they are one and a half to three and a half inches in length. Your wall studs will most likely be 16-inches apart but can be up to 24 inches apart in older homes. The lumber in your house that holds the wall studs are two by fours, and the studs are about one and a half to three inches.

Finding a Wall Stud Without a Finder

There are several strategies for finding a stud in your wall without a stud finder.

1. Locate the stud by looking where the trim has been nailed.

Baseboards are attached to studs, and you can usually see where the nail has been hammered into them. You will see holes often filled with caulk and painted on the baseboards. If you can find a hole or dimple and measure 16-inches on either side of it, you will likely find a wall stud.

2. Use your wall switches and outlets to find a wall stud.

If you cannot find the stud using the baseboards as a guide, your outlets should be a good starting point. All switches and outlets are attached to a wall stud on one side of the electrical outlet. You can knock on either side of the outlet to determine where the wall is hollow versus solid. The solid-sounding area is where the wall stud is located. Next, measure about three-quarters of an inch away from the outlet on the solid-sounding side. From there, measure 16-inches further on that side of the wall, and you will likely find the wall stud there. The stud will continue to be 16-inches apart, spaced evenly once you find the first stud.

3. You can measure from any corner 16-inches, and you will find a wall stud.

Since all rooms are built in even-numbered dimensions, you will likely find a stud within that 16-inches in your measurement. Knock on the walls to listen for solid or hollow sounds to find the exact location of the wall stud. This method usually works best for measuring from the outside of a house. But it is still worth trying on the inside.

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4. A high-powered magnet is another tool besides a stud finder that is very helpful in finding wall studs.

You will need to purchase a neodymium magnet, which is high-powered and the strongest available commercially. The magnet will detect the metal screws that hold the wall stud in place. Hold the magnet up to the wall and move it around the surface. The magnet will naturally pull in the direction of the screws. From there, you can mark the location of the studs with a pencil.

5. Lastly, look at photos from renovations of the home in the past.

If you can find an image of when the house was stripped down to the drywall, it may give you a better sense of the locations of the studs. Photos help you see where the wall studs are relevant to the rest of the house and offer you visibility of the room’s interior walls, corners, window locations, etc., where you may locate the wall studs. Ensure you take plenty of photos any time you renovate your home as well, and the frame is visible so you have them for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you find studs without a stud finder?

Yes, there are several ways to find a stud without a stud finder. If you don’t have a stud finder, there are many ways to locate the stud. Also, sometimes stud finders are challenging to use and can deliver false positives.

How do you find a stud in the wall manually?

Find the stud location by checking out the baseboard to see where it has been nailed. Then, measure 16-inches on either side of that nail to find the location of the wall studs.

Look for the switches and outlets on your walls. They are mounted to a stud on at least one side. Knock on the wall to hear where there is a hollow space. The side of the wall that sounds solid is where you will find the stud. On that side of the wall, measure three-quarters of an inch from the outlet as a starting point. From there, measure 16-inch spacing for the stud locations.

Measure 16-inches either way from any corner of the room. Most studs will likely be less than 16-inches from any corner.

Magnets can help find the metal fasteners or screws that hold the wall stud in place. There are specific types of magnets for finding the studs.

Lastly, look at photos from renovations of the home in the past; if you can find an image of when the house was stripped down to the drywall, it may give you a better sense of the studs’ locations.

Can you tap a wall to find the stud?

Yes, tapping the wall is a great way to find a stud. You will hear either a hollow or solid sound when you tap on different parts of your walls. The solid sounds are where the studs are located.

What can I use instead of a stud finder?

Magnets are great tools instead of stud finders. Ensure you use a neodymium magnet that is strong enough to locate the screws that hold the studs in place.

How do you find a stud with a tape measure?

Measure 16-inches with a tape measure in any direction from the corner of a room. The stud will most likely be located within that 16-inch space.

Do phone app stud finders work?

Most stud detector apps work by using your phone’s internal compass to detect metal inside the walls. However, while they do work, the accuracy is questionable, and there’s no saying if the ‘stud’ detected is a stud or something else like a pipe — something you don’t want to drill a hole through.

How do I find a stud with a magnet?

Locate the metal screws holding the wall studs using a neodymium magnet, the strongest commercially available magnet you can buy. Touch the magnet to the wall and move it around on the surface until you feel it pull in a direction. That direction will lead you to a screw which you can then mark the location with a pencil.

Where are studs in a wall?

Studs are made to hold up drywall on the interior of your home’s walls and the sheathing on exterior walls. Studs are found on all walls’ tops, bottoms, and corners.

How far apart are wall studs?

Wall studs are usually spaced 16-inches apart, but some can be up to 24-inches apart.

How far behind drywall are studs?

Studs are vertical two-by-four-inch beam structures designed to support your home’s frame. They are found behind drywall and are usually 16 or 24 inches apart.

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How do you hammer a nail into a stud?

Follow the process below for hammering a nail into a stud.

• Examine the stud to decide how you will hammer in the nail through its thickness or width. Then, measure each so you can select the accurate size nail.
• Use a pencil to mark where you will hammer in the nail. Draw a dot at the right spot and line the nail up with the stud.
• Use your dominant hand to hold the hammer and the other hand to hold the nail. Hammer the nail directly at its center.
• Hammer the nail again in the same spot until the head of the nail is flush with the wall.
• Mark the location where the next nail will be added and repeat the process.

Are studs in corners?

Yes, studs are located in corners.

What if there are no studs on my wall?

No, there will always be studs in any wall to keep the frame intact.

How do you find a stud in an old house?

In older homes, studs may be 24 inches apart or spaced irregularly. You can purchase an electronic or magnetic stud finding device. Studs are located next to a window or door edges.

How deep do studs go behind a wall?

The stud’s thickness will vary based on the thickness of your drywall. It will also be flush with the drywall. Most drywall for interior walls is about half of an inch thick. However, sometimes the drywall is five eights of an inch thick for soundproofed walls.

Summary

Now that you understand how the structures of your wall are held in place with wall studs and the methods by which to find the wall studs, you are on your way to mastering your home DIY projects. Also, you can find studs without using any tools with the above techniques listed. However, ensure you have the correct location of the studs before you start hammering. The last thing you want is many small holes visible in your wall where you nailed the wrong spot. Proceed with caution when nailing and drilling to ensure you do not hit any pipes or plumbing lines.