How to find a stud with a magnet

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There are many home projects that require additional tools. It is commonly thought that you need to have a stud finder in order to find a stud in your drywall. But not all homeowners own a stud finder, and probably don't need one often enough to justify the purchase. Here are some tips for locating a stud the old-fashioned way. Before you go searching for studs without a stud finder, you should know some basic information about wall construction. Although every house is unique, there are some common similarities among most walls in homes.

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Can I use my phone as a stud finder?
Can I use a fridge magnet to find a stud?
Do magnetic stud finders work on wood studs?
How do I find a stud with a flashlight?

Most homes are built with 2x4 or 2x6 studs and studs can be found typically on the sides of windows or doors. Additionally, most outlets and light switches have a stud location on the right or left side. Lastly, any trim in the home (baseboards, crown molding, etc.) is usually nailed to a stud. Now that you have that base knowledge, let’s show you some tips on how to find a stud without a stud finder.

How to Find a Stud without a Stud Finder: Magnets

This method may seem a bit unorthodox but it works! You can use tape or even dental floss to drag a refrigerator magnet across the wall to find the stud. Wait until the magnet sticks to the wall and then….you have found your stud! Side note: The stronger the magnet, the better!

Measure from the Corner

Since studs are generally 16″ on center, you can do calculations by measuring a corner of the room. Keep in mind that all rooms aren't built in numbers divisible by 16″ so there is a great chance you’ll find a stud that is less than 16″ from one corner. You can attempt the “knock test” near the corner to see if you can determine where the shorter stud-spacing might have been added. This is most effective if you’re measuring a corner of the exterior of the house, which is why it is the least effective way to find a stud without a stud finder.

Look at the Trim
The baseboards in your home are attached to the studs. Check your baseboards to see if you can spot where it might have been nailed. These holes (commonly known as dimples) are usually painted over and filled with caulk. Despite this, you may be able to see one to locate a stud. If you find one, measure in 16″ increments to locate the additional studs.

Use the Switch
As previously mentioned, at least one side of an outlet and light switch will be mounted on a stud. Tap the sides of the outlet to locate which side has the stud support. Measure about 3/4″ away from the outlet on the stud side and use that as a starting point to determine the 16″ intervals.

Still having trouble finding those studs without a studfinder? Contact your local Mr. Handyman by calling 877-256-3376 or request service in your area. Remember, DIY doesn't mean you have to do it all by yourself!

March 08, 2016
By Mr. Handyman

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When I find cool tools I instantly share them.

So last weekend I was doing some work in our bathroom.

Installing a pedestal sink to be precise.

I thought I found the stud locations but apparently my stud finder was asleep at the wheel.

DARN IT!!!

Had I gotten the tool I’m going to show you today I probably wouldn’t have torn a hole in my wall.

Don’t miss out on the surprise at the end of this tutorial (or sneak to the bottom, haha).

It’s a good idea to understand some basics about stud walls.

Most of the time, studs are spaced about 16 t0 24 inches on center.

This means that from the center of one stud to the next the distance is 16 inches or 24 inches.

Modern studs (homes build after 1965) are not 2 inches wide, but instead 1.5 inches.

As such the space between studs is about 14.5 inches.

If you have an older home (built before 1950) then your studs could actually be a legitimate 2 inches.

Not everything that is new isn’t better, lol.

Those of us getting older do have hope!!

There are several savvy ways to spot studs without any tool.

Take a look at baseboard trim or crown molding.

Baseboards should be attached to studs and if the spacing of nails is about 16 inches this might be the case.

Spot the nails with your eye then knock on the wall directly above the nail location.

If the you hear a higher pitch sound above the nails then you’ve likely found a stud.

Just be careful if there are pipes in that same wall.

Not a good idea to pound a nail in a waste pipe!!!

So always be sure it’s a stud and not a pipe.

The old tried and true method of knocking on the wall with your knuckles helps find the general location of studs.

As I mentioned above you can tap on the wall with your knuckle.

Move left to right tapping on the wall and when you hear a different pitch that’s likely the stud.

Once you find one location you can measure over 16 inches to find the next stud.

This is a simple way to find studs.

Yet sometimes it’s not full proof.

A third method is to use a strong magnet to locate the nail or screws holding the drywall to the studs.

You can knock on the wall to find the general stud location then confirm using the magnet.

Hard drive magnets are perfect for this (yes, I know the magnet in the picture isn’t a hard drive magnet, haha).

Old computers do come in handy 😀

Once you find the nail or screw just measure over 16 or 24 inches to find each successive stud.

You can also use a level to draw a perfectly plumb line on the stud if you need the entire height of the stud.

One issue with this method is the fact that not all nails or screws will be perfectly in the center of the stud.

Think about it, whoever installed the drywall is only human, not the Terminator with a nail gun.

Although it would be funny to see Arnold Schwarzenegger hanging drywall.

A third thing to consider when using this magnet method is the fact that some studs have metal protector plates.

Plumbers and contractors use small metal plates to prevent screws from piercing pipes that run through studs.

Keep all of this in mind when using the magnet method.

Stud finders: some people love them and some people think they’re a waste of money.

My last stud finder let me down on my last project.

So I went on a quest to find the best reviewed stud finder tool and try it.

Research shows the Franklin Sensor stud finder is pretty AWESOME.

I fell in love with this little tool and you might too…

What’s Next

Having the right tool makes all the difference. This Franklin Sensor is awesome, I highly recommend it.

If you’re doing a bathroom remodel and need help, join one of our online courses – they’ll make your bathroom renovation much easier!

Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to help.

Thanks as always for reading, watching, and being part of our awesome community.

Cheers,

Jeff

Franklin Stud Finder

Can I use my phone as a stud finder?

Stud finder app for iOS and Android brings the simplicity and effectiveness of a real stud detector tool to your iPhone or Android device. The app uses your device's compass (magnetometer sensor) to pinpoint metal studs, nails, and screws embedded in all wood wall studs.

Can I use a fridge magnet to find a stud?

Step 1: Grab Magnet From Fridge, Hang With Dental Floss Dangling the magnet along a wall revealed all the nails and screws in or beneath the drywall. Once I marked a few with a pencil, it was obvious where the studs were.

Do magnetic stud finders work on wood studs?

Even though only commercial buildings use metal studs, magnetic stud finders, which are still available, work with wooden studs, too, by locating the metal nails used to mount the wallboard or wooden lath. A newer type of stud finder works by detecting density changes in a wall.