How to Make a Plate Layout for a Wall

Place two straight 2-by-4's, or plates, side by side, on a workbench or a set of sawhorses. The 4r-inch width of the wood pieces should lie flat on the surface. These are the top and bottom support pieces for your wall. Secure the pieces together on each end with clamps to keep them stable as you work on the project.

Place the measuring tape on top of the end of the studs and roll it out horizontally toward the center of the two pieces. You will notice that the number 16 is red on the surface of most measuring tapes. Make a small mark on the wood at the 16-inch point with the marker. This will be the center for the placement of one wall post that is to be secured to the plates.

Mark the plates at 3/4 of an inch on either side of the 16-inch points down the length of the wood. A stud is 1 1/2 inch wide, so you must divide that measurement in half for either side of the 16-inch center point. For example, the first mark is made at the 15 1/4-inch point and the second mark will be at the 31 1/4-inch point.

Place a metal framing square tool on top of the two pieces of wood. The slimmer of the two sides of the tool is the same width as a 2-by-4 stud. Line up this thin side with the first mark you made at the 15 1/4-inch point. Make a mark straight down the width of the two plates or studs along both sides of the tool.

Mark the center of the two lines with an X on both of the 2-by-4 studs. Continue marking the lines using the frame and a marker. The lines will be guides to place and secure the wall studs to the plates. Draw an X between each set of two lines. Make an X at the ends of each of the studs to mark where the first wall support studs will be secured to the plates.