onlinecalculator.me

Free online framing calculator

A framing takeoff counts every stud, plate, and header needed for a wall. Enter your wall dimensions, openings, and stud spacing to get a full lumber list in seconds.

About this calculator

How to use

  1. Enter the wall length and height in feet.
  2. Choose stud spacing — 16 in is standard residential.
  3. Enter the number of doors and windows in the wall.
  4. Set a waste factor (15% is typical).
  5. Read stud count, plate footage, and board counts.

Formulas

base studs    = ceil(wallLength / (studSpacing / 12)) + 1
opening studs = (doors + windows) × 4   (2 king + 2 jack per opening)
cripple studs = windows × 2             (above rough sill)
total studs   = base + opening + cripple

plate linear ft = 3 × wallLength        (double top + single bottom)
header linear ft = openings × 3 ft each

raw linear ft = studs × wallHeight + plate linear ft + header linear ft
total linear ft = raw × (1 + waste% / 100)

boards (8 ft)  = ceil(totalLinearFt / 8)
boards (10 ft) = ceil(totalLinearFt / 10)
boards (12 ft) = ceil(totalLinearFt / 12)

Worked example

20-ft wall, 8-ft height, 16-in spacing, 1 door, 2 windows, 15% waste:

base studs    = ceil(20 / 1.333) + 1 = 15 + 1 = 16
opening studs = 3 × 4 = 12
cripple studs = 2 × 2 = 4
total studs   = 32

plate ft      = 3 × 20 = 60 ft
headers       = 3 × 3 = 9 ft
raw linear ft = 32 × 8 + 60 + 9 = 256 + 60 + 9 = 325 ft
total (15%)   = 325 × 1.15 ≈ 374 lin ft

8-ft boards   = ceil(374 / 8) = 47
10-ft boards  = ceil(374 / 10) = 38
12-ft boards  = ceil(374 / 12) = 32

Notes

  • Order a few extra boards beyond the calculated count for any special cuts (corners, blocking, cripples around plumbing).
  • Buy plates in 10-ft or 12-ft lengths to minimize splices; long plates also help align the wall.
  • Pressure-treat the bottom plate if it rests on concrete to resist moisture.

Frequently asked

How many studs do I need per linear foot?
At 16-inch on-center spacing you need roughly 0.75 studs per linear foot (one stud every 1.33 ft). At 24-inch spacing it drops to 0.5 studs per foot. Add extra studs for each door and window opening: 2 king studs and 2 jack studs per opening.
What is a double top plate?
Most wood-framed walls use two horizontal 2×4s across the top of the wall instead of one. The double top plate ties adjacent wall sections together and carries the load from joists or rafters above. The calculator adds two lengths of wall length for the top plate plus one for the bottom plate.
How do doors and windows affect stud count?
Each door or window opening requires 2 king studs (full height), 2 jack studs (trimmer studs supporting the header), and a header spanning the opening. Windows also need cripple studs below the rough sill. The calculator adds 4 studs per opening plus 2 cripple studs per window.
What waste factor should I use for framing lumber?
15% is a standard framing waste factor, accounting for cuts, mistakes, and material left at the end of boards. For complex rooms with many angles or headers, go up to 20%.
Should I use 16-inch or 24-inch stud spacing?
16-inch on-center is the most common residential spacing. It provides a stiffer wall and easier attachment for standard drywall and siding. 24-inch spacing uses fewer studs and can meet code for some applications, but requires thicker sheathing or blocking.
How do I share my framing calculation?
Click Share for the page link or Share with my numbers to encode your wall dimensions in the URL so anyone can reproduce your estimate.