How to find a wall stud (with or without a stud finder)
Hanging a shelf, TV mount or heavy mirror? Start by finding a stud, the wood framing behind the drywall. A stud finder can help, but you can also use clues from outlets and trim, along with a magnet and tape measure. Studs are usually spaced 16 inches apart, center to center, so once you've found one, a tape measure gets you to the next.
Where studs hide
In most homes built in the last 60 years, sit 16 inches apart, measured center to center, so once you find one, you can usually measure to the next. The drywall is screwed into every one of them, and outlets and trim are attached to them too, so there are more clues on the wall than you might think.
What makes studs hard to find
Near windows, doors and corners, studs are often closer together or doubled up.
Older plaster confuses many electronic stud finders.
Some newer or commercial buildings use steel studs, which need different screws.
Tile or paneling can hide stud finder signals.
| Look for | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| An outlet or light switch | One side of the box is usually fastened to a stud. |
| Nail holes in the baseboard | Trim is nailed into studs, so filled holes line up with them. |
| Screw dimples in the drywall | Visible in low, raking light from a flashlight held flat to the wall. |
| Corners, doors and windows | There's framing around them, often doubled up. |
| 16 inches from any stud you've found | The next one, in most homes. Sometimes 24 inches. |
Find it and mark it
- Start at an outlet or switchElectrical boxes are usually attached to a stud on one side. Knock on the wall beside it to find which side.
- Measure 16 inchesFrom that stud, measure 16 inches along the wall. Many homes also use 24 inches, so check both.
- Use a magnetSlide a strong magnet slowly over the wall. It snaps to the drywall screws, which line up vertically along each stud.
- Confirm with a tiny nailTap a small finish nail through the wall where the picture will cover it. Solid resistance means wood; if it slides through easily, it's hollow.
- Mark the centerStuds are 1.5 inches wide. Find both edges and mark the center with painter's tape before drilling.
Watch it done
- A small test nail meets solid resistance
- Magnet hits line up vertically along the stud
- Both edges are found and the center is marked with tape
Can't find a stud? Use a toggle bolt rated well above the weight.
If there's no stud where you need one
If the stud finder beeps everywhere, recalibrate it by holding it flat on the wall and restarting it in a new spot.
If you still can't find a stud, use a toggle bolt or heavy-duty anchor rated well above your item's weight.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A handyman visit to mount a TV or shelf typically runs $100–$250.
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