Wood Framing Calculator. Wood framing calculations depend on wall length and stud spacing. Formula: Studs equals Wall Length divided by Spacing plus 1. Standard spacing 16 inches on-center (OC) or 24 inches OC. Example 20-foot wall at 16-inch spacing: 20 divided by 1.33 equals 15.04 plus 1 equals 16 studs. Add extras for corners, intersections, openings. Lumber materials: Studs 2×4 for non-load-bearing, 2×6 for exterior load-bearing or insulation. Plates top and bottom 2×4 or 2×6, run full length. Headers over openings 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, or 2×12 depending on span. Jack studs and king studs frame openings, 2×4 or 2×6. Cripples above and below openings. Blocking or fire-stops as required. Costs: Dimensional lumber varies 0.50-1.50 per linear foot depending on size. 2×4×8 costs 4-8 each. 2×6×8 costs 7-12 each. 2×10×12 costs 18-30 each. Framing labor 4-8 per sq ft. Total framing 8-15 per sq ft installed. Example 800 sq ft house framing: materials 3,000-5,000, labor 3,500-6,000, total 6,500-11,000. Stud spacing code: 16 inches OC standard residential framing. 24 inches OC allowed for some non-load-bearing partitions, check code. 12 inches OC for high wind or seismic zones. Closer spacing stronger but uses more lumber. Engineered lumber options: Exterior walls and load-bearing use proper spacing per engineering. Header sizing critical: Spans determine header size. 3-foot opening in load-bearing wall needs 2×6 doubled. 4-foot opening needs 2×8 doubled. 6-foot opening needs 2×10 doubled. 8-foot garage door needs 2×12 doubled or engineered beam. Consult span tables or engineer for exact requirements. Undersized headers cause sagging and structural failure. Wall framing components: Bottom plate nailed to floor, single 2×4 or 2×6. Studs vertical spaced 16 or 24 inches OC. Top plate doubled, overlapped at corners and splices for strength. Headers over doors and windows with jack studs and cripples. Corners use three studs or two studs plus blocking for drywall nailing. Intersecting walls use backing studs or clips. Fire stops blocking between studs at mid-height, prevents drafts and fire spread. Shear walls: Earthquake and wind bracing requires shear walls with structural panels like OSB or plywood. Engineered to resist lateral forces. Distributed per structural plan. Hold-downs and straps connect to foundation. Critical in seismic zones. May require closer stud spacing 16 inches or doubled studs. Follow engineer specifications exactly. Common mistakes: Calculating wall length but not accounting for corners, adds 3 extra studs per corner. Forgetting door and window openings requires extra framing around each opening, king studs, jack studs, headers, cripples. Wrong stud spacing, 16 inches OC is center-to-center distance not edge-to-edge. Not buying extra studs for waste and mistakes, order 10 percent extra. Using undersized headers causes structural failure, bigger is safer. Mixing lumber species or grades weakens structure, use uniform material. Pro tips: Pre-cut studs available 92-5/8 inches (7 feet 8-5/8 inches) for 8-foot walls saves cutting. Layout walls on subfloor before standing, easier and accurate. Mark stud locations on plates before nailing studs, red crayon or lumber crayon shows clearly. Nail bottom plate to floor every 16 inches two nails per stud location. Use framing square and level constantly checks. Build walls flat then stand and brace before moving to next. Advanced framing techniques (OVE): Optimum value engineering saves lumber while meeting code. 24-inch OC stud spacing where allowed. Single top plate with aligned framing. Two-stud corners with drywall clips instead of three studs. Insulated headers in non-load-bearing walls. Reduces thermal bridging, saves materials 10-20 percent, improves energy efficiency. Requires precise planning and execution. Partition walls: Non-load-bearing interior walls can use 2×4 studs at 24 inches OC in some jurisdictions. Still need proper framing around openings. Typically use 16 inches OC for drywall support. Cheaper than exterior walls, no headers needed for most openings. Framing inspection: Required before covering with drywall. Inspector checks stud spacing, header sizing, corners, fire stops, hold-downs, shear wall nailing. Any deficiencies must be corrected before approval. Framing must match approved plans. Schedule inspection before insulation and drywall. Engineered lumber: LVL (laminated veneer lumber) strong consistent for beams and headers. Engineered I-joists for floor systems. Glulam beams for long spans. More expensive than dimensional lumber but stronger and straighter. Required for large openings and long spans. Calculate based on engineers specifications, sold by linear foot, costs 2-5 per linear foot depending on size. FAQ: How many studs for 10-foot wall? At 16 inches OC approximately 9 studs plus corner and opening extras. How much does framing cost? Materials 3-5 per sq ft, labor 4-8 per sq ft, total 7-13 per sq ft. Can I DIY framing? Possible for experienced builders, requires tools knowledge and strength. Permit and inspection required. What size header? Depends on span and load, 2×6 doubled for 3 feet, 2×8 for 4 feet, 2×10 for 6 feet in load-bearing walls. 16 or 24-inch spacing? 16 inches standard, 24 inches allowed some non-load-bearing walls, check local code.