How to Find a Stud When Framing a Door

When adding a new door in your home, you need to decide where you want to position the door frame for maximum support. Typically, door frames are supported by the wall studs. Therefore, when you want to install your new door frame, you need to be able to find wall studs. There are several ways you can do this.

Stud finder
Thumbtack
Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Locate an electrical outlet. Electrical boxes are positioned on the sides of wall studs; usually, you can find them an inch away.
- 2
  Press a thumbtack into the base of the wall at regular intervals near the outlet plate on either side. If you meet resistance, you've hit the stud.
- 3
  Run the stud finder horizontally along the wall and watch the indicator light or listen for the audio cue per the device's instruction manual. It will inform you when it detects a stud.
- 4
  Measure 16 inches horizontally from the stud to get to the next stud. Mark its location.

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