How to Find a Wall Stud
After creating 20 holes in the wall in search of a stud, I realized at 59 it was time to learn the right way.
To securely hang anything heavy — substantial pictures, wall-mounted shelves, a mirror or tech equipment, for example — you'll need to locate a wall stud, a vertical piece of wood framing within your walls. Or else, anything you hang won’t find a strong grip, risking a tumble and potential wall woes.
Here's how to find a stud in the wall quickly and easily, with or without a stud finder:
Locate the nearest light switch or power outlet
The most reliable method, find a light switch or a power outlet, says Rothman. Electrical boxes are typically attached to studs, so start by locating the one nearest to the area where you want to place something that needs a little extra reinforcement. Then, measure 16 inches from there, since wall studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart by the building code, Some can be placed 24 inches apart, so you may have to measure twice.
Use windows as a guide
Windows typically feature a stud on each side, yet identifying the edges may prove challenging, making this technique less dependable than the aforementioned ones. Nevertheless, in case of uncertainty, determining the window's edge and measuring a distance of 16 inches from there can offer some overall guidance.
Tap the wall
You could attempt to tap the wall gently with your hammer to detect any change in tone, my Dad was a carpenter and would tap tap tap until he heard it, he made it seem effortless but I find this method challenging to locate the stud I try tapping but don't notice a significant difference.
Drill a hole
No matter which method you use, you should always confirm your findings before proceeding to hang your piece. To do so, drill a hole in the wall. You'll know you've hit wood (a stud!) if you feel resistance.
Fish around with a wire hanger
If you can't find the stud even after drilling, there's one more technique you can try: Grab a wire hanger and untwist it, fashioning it into a right angle. Use your new tool to fish around behind the wall, says Rothman. When the wire makes contact with a firm object, that indicates you've found a stud.
Try a stud finder app
Today, there's an app for just about everything — and that includes finding studs. Most stud finder apps are magnetic, which means they rely on your smartphone's built-in magnetometer to pinpoint metal objects inside the wall. While this can help you find a wall stud, it can also turn up a false positive, since the app may detect things other than studs, like nails or electrical wires, says Rothman.
Or just use a stud finder!
The easiest way to find a stud: With a stud finder, a handheld stud finder gadget that does the hunting for you. To use a stud finder, decide where you want to hang your item, then place the stud finder in the approximate spot the mounting hardware would sit. Hold the tool flat against the wall, slowly sliding it horizontally to the left or right. Depending on your model, it will flash or beep to alert you to a stud.
To securely hang anything heavy — substantial pictures, wall-mounted shelves, a mirror or tech equipment, for example — you'll need to locate a wall stud, a vertical piece of wood framing within your walls. Or else, anything you hang won’t find a strong grip, risking a tumble and potential wall woes.
Here's how to find a stud in the wall quickly and easily, with or without a stud finder:
Locate the nearest light switch or power outlet
The most reliable method, find a light switch or a power outlet, says Rothman. Electrical boxes are typically attached to studs, so start by locating the one nearest to the area where you want to place something that needs a little extra reinforcement. Then, measure 16 inches from there, since wall studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart by the building code, Some can be placed 24 inches apart, so you may have to measure twice.
Use windows as a guide
Windows typically feature a stud on each side, yet identifying the edges may prove challenging, making this technique less dependable than the aforementioned ones. Nevertheless, in case of uncertainty, determining the window's edge and measuring a distance of 16 inches from there can offer some overall guidance.
Tap the wall
You could attempt to tap the wall gently with your hammer to detect any change in tone, my Dad was a carpenter and would tap tap tap until he heard it, he made it seem effortless but I find this method challenging to locate the stud I try tapping but don't notice a significant difference.
Drill a hole
No matter which method you use, you should always confirm your findings before proceeding to hang your piece. To do so, drill a hole in the wall. You'll know you've hit wood (a stud!) if you feel resistance.
Fish around with a wire hanger
If you can't find the stud even after drilling, there's one more technique you can try: Grab a wire hanger and untwist it, fashioning it into a right angle. Use your new tool to fish around behind the wall, says Rothman. When the wire makes contact with a firm object, that indicates you've found a stud.
Try a stud finder app
Today, there's an app for just about everything — and that includes finding studs. Most stud finder apps are magnetic, which means they rely on your smartphone's built-in magnetometer to pinpoint metal objects inside the wall. While this can help you find a wall stud, it can also turn up a false positive, since the app may detect things other than studs, like nails or electrical wires, says Rothman.
Or just use a stud finder!
The easiest way to find a stud: With a stud finder, a handheld stud finder gadget that does the hunting for you. To use a stud finder, decide where you want to hang your item, then place the stud finder in the approximate spot the mounting hardware would sit. Hold the tool flat against the wall, slowly sliding it horizontally to the left or right. Depending on your model, it will flash or beep to alert you to a stud.