How to find a stud

Hanging a picture? Mounting a shelving system, bookcase or cabinets? Want to make something confidently secured to the wall by locating the studs in the wall?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a strong magnet (tot-locks work great) however any strong magnet will do.

2. At the desired location on the wall, sweep the magnet in a vertical motion up and down. Move across the wall the width of the magnet with each sweep.

3. If your wall is a steel-studded wall, the magnet will pull or attach itself to the stud through the drywall or paneling. If the wall is a wood-studded wall, the magnet will grab the screws or nails used to fasten the drywall or paneling to the studs. This will tell you where the studs are.

Tips & Warnings

• Stud walls are typically constructed out of wood for residential building. Steel stud walls are typically used in commercial construction. Most walls are on a 16" on-center layout, however some older homes were built with a 24" on-center layout.
• When anchoring anything into the walls be aware of any electrical wiring, plumbing supplies and drain lines. A magnet will not pick up or locate the current pvc plumbing but it will locate iron pipes and drains. Before driving a nail or screw into the wall measure to see if the stud is approximately on a 16" or 24" layout.