Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates different ways to locate studs in a wall.
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Time: 5 minutes

Cost: $5-50

Skill Level: Beginner

Tools List for Choosing a Stud Finder:
Magnetic stud finder
Digital stud finders
Drill
Flathead screwdriver

Steps:
1. There are several ways to locate studs in the wall- both low tech and high tech.
2. Use your knuckle against the wall to feel for a stud. If you hit a stud, the knock will feel more solid and sound slightly higher pitched.
3. Look for clues in the wall. Look for patched nail holes in baseboard trim, chair rails, or crown molding, since the trim was probably nailed to the studs. Use a small drill bit just above the baseboard to see if there’s a stud behind the wall or not.
4. Turn off the power at the electrical panel and check next to an outlet or light switch. Unscrew the cover plate and slide the screwdriver along the sides of the electrical box to see where it was mounted. Once that stud has been located, measure 16” or 24” on center from the stud to identify subsequent studs.
5. Purchase a magnetic stud finder. Slide it along the wall up and down and it will stick to any nails or screws that attach the drywall to the studs.
6. Purchase a digital stud finder. Slide it along the wall and the light will indicate when a stud has been located.
7. Another digital stud finder can indicate the width of a stud. Slide it along the wall and the lights will indicate stud location and width.

Resources:
The magnetic stud finder Tom used is the StudBuddy (https://thestudbuddy.com).

The electronic stud finder that can show the width of a stud is the ProFinder 5000+, manufactured by Franklin Sensors (http://franklinsensors.com).

The electronic stud finder that can show pipes and wires hidden in a wall is manufactured by Zircon (http://www.zircon.com).

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Choose a Stud Finder | Ask This Old House
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