What Is the Average Size of Wall Studs in an Interior Wall?

2-by-4 Standard

• Most interior walls are framed with 2-by-4-inch framing lumber. Most studs are 8 feet high, although some houses with vaulted or high ceilings may use 10-foot lengths. It is rare to have an interior wall more than 10 feet high. The exception to 8-foot studs is around door openings, where short studs connect between a horizontal header board and a top or bottom plate.

Spacing

• Some building codes allow studs on non-load-bearing interior walls to be spaced 24 inches apart, rather than the conventional 16-inch spacing used on exterior walls. But most builders also use 16-inch spacing on interior walls because the additional lumber cost is minor and the 16-inch spacing conforms well to dimensions of wallboard and other coverings.

Odd Size

• Occasionally, a homeowner or builder may use 2-by-3 lumber for interior wall studs, but this is usually done in a basement where solid concrete walls bear all the weight. The 2-by-3- is not a standard building lumber dimension; you see 2-by-3 mainly as stretchers on pre-built fence panels. A 2-by-6 stud is sometimes used on exterior walls, but almost never on interior walls.

On Centers

• Stud spacing is measured from the center of the board (a 2-by-4 is actually 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches). Corner studs are usually doubled, even on interior walls, with two studs connected vertically with 2-by-4 spacers nailed between them. This is always done on interior walls that do not connect to another wall, like at a hallway.