Metal Stud Calculator

1. Enter the wall length in feet.
2. Pick the stud size (1-5/8, 2-1/2, 3-5/8 or 6 inches).
3. Pick the gauge (25 or 20).
4. Pick the stud spacing (16 or 24 in OC).
5. Enter the number of corners, doors and windows.
6. Optionally enter the price per stud for a cost estimate.
7. Read the stud count, track footage and cost.

Here is what each result line means:

A metal stud calculator converts a wall length, stud size, spacing and opening count into the number of steel studs and the amount of track you need to order. It gives a material take-off for non-structural steel-framed partition walls.

Drywall contractors, commercial estimators and DIY builders use it to price a metal framing package before ordering.

L is the wall length in feet, s is the spacing in feet (16 in = 1.333 ft, 24 in = 2 ft), C is the number of corner posts and O is the number of openings (doors plus windows). Each opening adds 2 king studs and 2 jack studs.

1. Divide the wall length by the spacing in feet and round up.
2. Add 1 for the end stud.
3. Add 1 per corner.
4. Add 4 per door or window opening (2 king + 2 jack).
5. Track = wall length x 2 (one top, one bottom).

You are framing a 24-ft partition with 3-5/8 in 25-gauge studs at 16 inches on center, with 2 corners and 3 openings (2 doors, 1 window).

Calculation: field studs = ceil(24 / 1.333) + 1 = 18 + 1 = 19. Corner extras = 2. Opening extras = 3 x 4 = 12. Total = 19 + 2 + 12 = 33 studs. Track = 24 x 2 = 48 linear feet.

At $2.50 per stud, the stud cost alone is 33 x $2.50 = $82.50.

Stud Size

The stud depth (1-5/8 to 6 inches) does not change the count, but it sets the track size and affects the cost per piece. A 3-5/8-inch stud is standard for most interior partitions.

Gauge

25-gauge (18 mil) studs work for standard-height partitions. 20-gauge (33 mil) studs handle taller walls and heavier loads. Heavier gauge costs more per stud.

Spacing

Switching from 16 to 24 inches OC cuts the field stud count by about one-third, saving material on low partitions.

Openings

Each door or window adds 4 extra studs (2 king, 2 jack). The calculator does not count header track or cripple studs above headers.

Wall Height

Taller walls may need a heavier gauge or closer spacing to meet the deflection limit. Check the manufacturer limiting-height table.

The table below compares common metal stud sizes and their typical uses.

Commercial Tenant Improvements

Estimate studs and track for office partitions, corridors and conference rooms.

Basement Finishing

Metal studs resist moisture better than wood in below-grade walls.

Residential Renovation

Frame non-bearing partition walls with lightweight steel instead of wood.

Bid and Estimate

Price the metal framing package for a drywall subcontractor bid.

1. Forgetting the Track

Metal framing needs a top and bottom track for every wall. The track is ordered separately from the studs.

2. Wrong Gauge for the Wall Height

A 25-gauge stud has a lower limiting height than a 20-gauge stud of the same size. Check the manufacturer table before ordering.

3. No Waste Allowance

Add 10 percent for damaged studs, mis-cuts and scrap. Metal studs are harder to reuse than wood.

4. Missing Opening Framing

Each opening needs king and jack studs, a header track and sometimes cripple studs. The basic count formula covers kings and jacks but not the header.

5. Mixing Stud and Track Sizes

The track must match the stud depth. A 3-5/8-inch stud needs 3-5/8-inch track, not 4-inch.

The calculator uses the standard field-stud formula plus 4 extras per opening and 1 per corner. It gives a material count for non-structural partition walls.

At 16 inches on center with no openings or corners: ceil(20/1.333) + 1 = 15 + 1 = 16 studs. Add extras for corners and openings.

3-5/8 inches. It fits standard interior partition walls and matches the depth of a 2×4 wood stud (3.5 inches) closely enough for standard drywall details.

25 gauge (18 mil) for standard-height interior partitions up to about 10 to 12 feet. 20 gauge (33 mil) for taller walls, heavier loads or where the local code requires it.

A stud is the vertical member. A track is the horizontal channel at the top and bottom of the wall that holds the studs in place. Track is the steel equivalent of a wood plate.

Two runs per wall: one top track and one bottom track. Total track = wall length x 2. Order enough stock lengths to cover the total with minimal splicing.

Yes, but structural steel studs use heavier gauges (16 ga or thicker) and require engineering for the loads. This calculator covers non-structural partitions only.

Install a king stud on each side at full height, then a jack (trimmer) stud from floor to header height. Bridge the top with a header track and add cripple studs above the header at the wall spacing.

16 inches on center is standard for most partitions. 24 inches is allowed for low, non-bearing walls where the code and drywall thickness support it.

Yes. Add about 10 percent for damaged studs, mis-cuts and leftover short pieces.

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.

• ClarkDietrich, steel stud product catalog (stud sizes, gauges and track pairings for steel framing).
• ASTM C754, Standard Specification for Installation of Steel Framing Members (installation standard for non-structural steel studs and track).
• InchCalculator, stud calculator method (framing count formula and opening extras).
• CUNY City Tech, steel stud limiting heights reference (limiting height tables by stud depth, gauge and spacing).