How to Build a Wall With 2x4s

Cut a top and bottom plate to the length of the wall you are planning to build.

Lay a measuring tape along the length of the top and bottom plate. Mark out the locations of your wall studs at 16-inch increments. Many measuring tapes have special marks to indicate these lengths because they are used so frequently.

Count the number of marks on your plates and cut this number of 2-by-4s for studs. Determine the length of your studs by measuring the planned height of your wall and cutting the studs to this length minus 3 inches.

Lay out the wall on the floor by moving the top and bottom plate apart, laying the studs in between and perpendicular to them and lining up the ends of the studs with the lines on the plates.

Nail or screw the studs to the plates by driving 3-inch nails or screws through the outside faces of the plates and into the ends of the studs. Nails and screws work equally well for this purpose; some carpenters prefer nails while others prefer screws.

Mark the location where the wall is going on the ceiling at both ends. Make pencil marks 3 1/2 inches apart representing the two sides of the top plate. Snap a chalk line between the two ends.

Hang a plumb bob from these lines at both ends to locate the bottom plate directly underneath the top plate. Mark the points where the plumb bob touches on the floor and snap two chalk lines to represent the sides of the bottom plate.

Stand the wall up and put it in place so the top plate and bottom plate are between the chalk lines.

Check that the wall is perfectly vertical using a 4-foot level. Nail or screw the bottom plate to the subflooring underneath and the top plate to the ceiling joists above.