5 Ways To Find Wall Studs Without A Stud Finder

If you need to hang a new OLED TV, install shelving, construct a new outlet, or hang a heavy painting—finding the wall stud is a crucial first step in the process.

Without securing an object to a wall stud, it will likely fall down, get damaged, and someone will be a big cry baby.

Just as a heads-up: any item that weighs over 10-lbs will need to be secured to a wall stud.

And yes, there are stud finders out there that can do the job. But what if you can’t find the stud finder, it’s out of batteries, or you want an independent way to confirm it?

Stud finders aren’t always accurate and it is a basic DIY home skill to know how to find wall studs. After all, for over 150 years, people never used stud finders since they weren’t even invented until 1980!

Let’s get started, shall we?

How Far Apart Are Studs in a Wall?

The vast majority of homes use 16″ spacing between studs (on center or O.C.), so if you were to roll the dice — you have a 90% chance that your home has 16-inch spacing.

The term “on center” means when you measure in the middle of one stud to the middle of the next. However, there is a chance that your home is 12″ O.C. or even 24″ O.C. if it was built in the early twentieth century or if you have plaster walls instead of drywall.

Exterior walls are also more likely to have 24-inch stud spacing as opposed to interior walls.

In some States, there is a trend of using a type of wall construction called advanced framing that uses 24″ stud spacing.

This 24″ wall construction is typically for new homes since it improves insulation, reduces the wood needed, and has other benefits.

How To Find Wall Studs? [5 Strategies]

If you don’t have access to a stud finder, there are a couple simple strategies to find wall studs that anyone can do. And even if you have a stud finder, knowing how to manually find wall studs is a great way to confirm a stud before putting holes in the wall!

Keep reading to learn the 5 ways to find wall studs without a stud finder…

Strategy #1: Wall Tapping

There are two main ways to locate studs by tapping on the wall. You may have success with one technique, or you may need to use a combination of both.

It is really more an art than science and you will just need to be a little patient and try them both.

It is essential to use common sense and to map out where the studs are likely to be, such as the wall corners and near outlets or switches.

#1: Knuckle Tapping Technique

The knuckle technique uses your knuckles to tap on the wall to listen for a change in sound.

The sound in-between wall studs will have a lower sounding tone. When you are just over a stud, it will have a higher sounding tone.

You will need to focus on the sound and not the ‘feel’ with the knuckle technique.

If you don’t want to use your knuckles for whatever reason, simply use a hammer or some other object.

Just be careful not to hit the wall too hard to cause damage. Some blue tape over the hammer head or other object may be advisable.

#2: Fist Tapping Technique

The fist tapping technique simply uses your balled-up fist and hits the bottom of the fist against the wall.

It is important to focus on the feel of this approach.

You will be trying to feel the hollow or lighter sensation when you are in-between studs.

And you will be feeling the harder sensation when you are just over a stud.

Strategy #2: Use A Rare Earth Magnet

One easy way to verify the location of studs is to use a magnet to find drywall screws.

The magnet strategy isn’t going to work with plaster walls if there is metal lathing since it will stick to most of the wall.

This strategy can be a stand-alone way to find studs or it can be used for confirmation after using different techniques.

If you want to use this strategy as a main way to find studs, you will likely need to use a strong rare-earth type of magnet.

Using a cheap refrigerator magnet probably isn’t going to be effective unless you can see the screw pops in the wall.

#1: Stud Confirmation

Use a flashlight or bright light up against the wall and at a 45° degree angle.

Look for screw pops in the location where you think there is a stud. The screw pop may also be recessed or sunken rather than popping out.

Simply place the magnet over the screw pop location to see if it sticks. If the magnet sticks, you have just confirmed the stud location.

If the magnet doesn’t stick, you have likely found a drywall blister where the tape has come loose which is NOT a stud location.

#2: Locating Studs

It is possible to use a strong rare-earth magnet to find studs as a stand-alone strategy.

Simply tie a string, ribbon, or chain to the magnet. Put it up against the wall where you think there is likely a stud.

Swing the rare earth magnet side-to-side and up and down. You are trying to get the magnet to stick to a drywall screw. Once the magnet sticks to a drywall screw, mark the location with blue tape or a pencil.

Try to get the magnet to stick to drywall screws above and below that location for stud confirmation — it should all be in a straight vertical line.

Homeowners can also determine the studs on the left and right side which should be 16″ or 24″ from the first stud.

Strategy #3: Use Outlets and Switches

Electrical outlets and light switches are almost always screwed into a wall studs — about 85% of the time — so it’s a good place to start.

Electrical boxes are screwed into the stud on one side, the stud is never in the middle.

Typically, the stud will be on the right side of the outlet or switch since most contractors are right-handed and it’s easier to install that way.

Step #1: Use Tapping Technique

Homeowners can use the tapping technique to confirm which side of the outlet or switch the stud may be on.

Step #2: Remove Outlet Cover

Another option is to pull the outlet or switch cover and check visually.

Always turn off power to the outlet at the breaker box before poking around.

If the stud isn’t visible with the outlet or switch cover removed, you may be able to take a knife and shave off a little of the drywall from either side.

If it’s just half a centimeter, it should be covered up by the outlet cover anyway.

Step #3: Measure It Out To Next Stud

Once you know which side the stud is on, you can measure out 16-inches (or whatever spacing you think it is such as 12″ or 24″) from that stud to get an idea of the next stud’s location.

Don’t forget to mark off the stud spacing with blue tape or a pencil.

Strategy #4: Finishing Nails For Confirmation

If you feel you have a good idea of where is a stud, you can hammer a finishing nail into the wall.

The best place for initial confirmation nailing is just above the baseboard.

Since most baseboards are painted white, if you hammer a nail just at the boundary of the baseboard and drywall — it will be barely noticeable after adding spackling or caulk.

I recommend using a 1-inch to 1.5-inch long finishing nail.

Step #1: Hammer First Nail

The nail should hit strong resistance at around 1/2-inch to 1-inch if it hits a wood stud.

Be careful if you have plaster because it may hit the wooden lathing which will give some resistance but it won’t feel as solid as a stud.

Step #2: Hammer Second Nail 1-Inch Away From First Hole

If you think you hit a stud, you can hammer another finishing nail spaced about 1″ to the side.

If that nail also hits a stud, then the middle of those holes is pretty close to center (if not dead center) of the stud. Remember, the actual size of a 2-inch stud is 1.5-inch.

Step #3: Mark Vertical Line Upwards

Homeowners can simply mark some blue tape on the wall until you get the the top height of the object you plan on hanging.

The best way to mark a plumb vertical line is to hang an object from a string to get a straight line. If you have a long I-beam level, that will also work nicely.

Step #4: Do More Nailing Behind Object

Likewise, use the same nailing technique to verify the stud location which now should be hidden behind the object anyways.

Strategy #5: Use Windows, Doors, Corners, and Baseboards

Besides using outlets to find stud locations, homeowners can use windows, doors, baseboards, and room corners since there are always studs at these locations.

You can measure out 16-inches from the room corner and there is a good chance a stud is there.

Likewise, the trim around any door or window will be nailed into a stud.

Room baseboard trim will also be nailed into the studs.

Homeowners can look for the tiny finishing nail imperfections on the trim where it was nailed into the stud. Measure out from this area of the trim.

The Actual Size of a 2″x4″ Stud

The 2-inch x 4-inch studs in your wall are actually 1.5-inch x 3.5-inch.

The 2″x4″ dimension is known as the ‘nominal’ or standard size.

Wall stud lumber shrinks during the drying process even though the price and name is still based on the original uncured sizing.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to effectively find wall studs without a stud finder is a basic home skill that everyone should have.

These skills can be used together with a stud finder for confirmation or can be used on it’s own if you don’t have one.

Just looking at a wall logically and knowing that studs are typically next to outlets, switches, door frames, windows, and wall corners can help you determine a stud location. And using a rare earth magnet is a little-known strategy can greatly simplify finding a stud.

We hope you enjoyed this guide from TimberSill! Write us a comment below if you have any questions or want to share your stud-finding experience.