How to Use a Stud Finder

There are many home improvement or design projects where you'll need to find the studs in your wall. You may want to hang a heavy piece of art or shelving, or you may want to cut an opening in a wall between two rooms. The easiest way to locate these support pieces is to use a stud finder. Read the guidelines below for making the best use of this helpful tool.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stud finder
• Pencil

1. Clear space to stand in front of wall you will use the stud finder on. If moving furniture is impossible or impractical, definitely remove all breakable items from the area, so there is no danger of knocking anything over.

2. Turn stud finder on. It will beep to let you know the power is on.

3. Hold stud finder flat against the wall to the left of the location you are planning to work on.

4. Press the locator button. The stud finder will beep continuously while it calibrates. Do not move until the stud finder is silent again.

5. Holding the locator button down, drag the stud finder slowly along the wall, moving it to your right.

6. Watch the progression of lights on the stud finder. The red lights will flicker on as you get close.

7. When the green light illuminates and a loud, continuous beep sounds, you've found the edge of the stud.

8. Hold stud finder steady and release the button.

9. 
   Use a pencil to mark the edge of the stud.

   Mark this edge with a pencil. The detection zone on the stud finder is usually at the top and center.

10. Move stud finder at least 8 inches to the right of your mark. Repeat steps 5 to 9, now moving the stud finder to your left.

11. Now you have found both outside edges of the stud. If you want to hang a shelf or picture from the stud, choose the center of your two marks to drill or nail into the stud. This will give you the sturdiest hold.

Tips & Warnings

• You can start on either the right or left side of a stud. The important thing is to find both edges so that you know the exact location and center of the stud.
• Studs are usually around 2 inches by 4 inches in size and set 16 inches apart. "Two by four" is the common name, but usually they measure closer to 1 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches. When locating a stud, the edges should be close to 2 inches apart. If it is closer to four, this is a double stud. If you want to hang a picture or shelf where a double stud is present, avoid the center where the two studs join together.
• The product used here is a Black & Decker Bulls Eye Laser Level and Stud Finder, but all stud finders work on the same principles. Always check the manufacturer's directions for correct usage instructions and warnings.
• Do not use pen, marker, or other permanent writing instrument on any wall surface that will be visible now or at a later date. Some inks can even bleed through one or two coats of paint, so you want to use a marking device that will not damage the appearance of your walls!

Resources

• Buy the Black and Decker stud finder or other tools at Ace Hardware.
• Read up on various models of stud finders at Popular Mechanics.