How to Find a Wall Stud Without a Stud Finder

You should find a stud before hanging things like large picture.

The best way to hand something in your home is to find a stud in your wall. A stud will help keep the item in place, particularly heavy items or items that will be pulled on frequently, such as a towel bar or coat rack. Other items you might need to find a stud to hang include pictures, shelves and wall-mounted televisions. You should always find a stud before hanging an item if your walls are thin and may become damaged by the weight of the item. If you don't have a stud finder, it's still possible to find a stud in your wall.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlight
• Screwdriver
• Sturdy bent wire

Instructions

1. Look at your walls carefully. If necessary, use a flashlight to examine the wall closely. Small dimples may indicate where nails or screws are connecting your drywall to studs. Also, vertical seams can indicate where your drywall meets, which is usually along a stud.

2. Knock on your wall. Listen carefully to the sound the wall makes. When you hit a stud, you'll hear a slightly higher sound. A hollow, lower pitched sound will be heard where there is no stud.

3. Remove the cover plate of your outlets and light switches. These are typically connected to a stud. If you remove the cover plate, you should be able to see the stud.

4. Place a sturdy, bent wire inside holes that are already made in your wall. For example, you might drill a hole to hang an item and miss the stud. Move the wire to the right and to the left. If a stud is nearby, the wire will hit it.

References

• CornerHardware.com: Six Ways to Find a Stud in You Wall