🏗 Metal Stud Framing Calculator
Estimate studs, track pieces, and screws for any wall. Choose spacing, gauge, and unit system.
| Wall Length | 12" OC | 16" OC | 24" OC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 6 ft | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 8 ft | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| 10 ft | 11 | 9 | 6 |
| 12 ft | 13 | 10 | 7 |
| 16 ft | 17 | 13 | 9 |
| 20 ft | 21 | 16 | 11 |
| 24 ft | 25 | 19 | 13 |
| Wall Length | Total Track Needed | 10 ft Pieces | 12 ft Pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 8 lin ft | 1 | 1 |
| 8 ft | 16 lin ft | 2 | 2 |
| 10 ft | 20 lin ft | 2 | 2 |
| 12 ft | 24 lin ft | 3 | 2 |
| 16 ft | 32 lin ft | 4 | 3 |
| 20 ft | 40 lin ft | 4 | 4 |
| 24 ft | 48 lin ft | 5 | 4 |
| Number of Studs | Screws (4/stud) | With 5% Extra | With 10% Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 studs | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 7 studs | 28 | 30 | 31 |
| 10 studs | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| 13 studs | 52 | 55 | 58 |
| 16 studs | 64 | 68 | 71 |
| 20 studs | 80 | 84 | 88 |
| 25 studs | 100 | 105 | 110 |
Metal stud framing is a system made from a series of connected studs that forms the internal skeleton of a building. These studs usually have the form of U or C. The vertical and horizontal parts of the structure are made of repetitive framing members. People also call this construction method “light-gauge steel” or “cold-formed steel framing”
Metal studs are almost thrice more lightweight than wooden elements of the same size. That happens because the cross-section of the metal is hollow and C-shaped. Because of the low weight, carpenters more easily carry and raise the material on site.
What Is Metal Stud Framing
Moreover, CFS studs are not eaten by termites, you can cut them exactly, and they never twist or warpp. Steel does not burn, does not rot, and mold does not grow on it. CFS has the highest ratio of strength to weight among all framing materials.
When you want to do a wall that does not bear weight, metal studs are the simplest choice. They have channels up and below, and you can lay studs between the flanges. Use self-drilling screws to bind the stud to the flanges up and below.
For bearing walls or exterior structures, you use heavier structural steel studs. Metal studs appear in various widths, for instance 3.625 inches or 6 inches, and they are available in galvanized steel.
Hanging a door directly on metal studs can be a difficult task. It is better to do the opening three inches broader and one and a half inches higher, and use drywall screws to fix wooden bucks (2×4) inside of the steel stud. Then you can hang the door on those wooden bucks.
Those wooden parts also help for nailing the casing. You should add wooden support for any thing that gives excessive pressure to the wall, as heavy shelves or door frames.
Metal studs are flexible and can be bent in various directions. When you mark the places for the studs, you slip the measure entirely until the back of the track. Bind the bottom channel to the floor by means of ramset or screws.
To set the studs up and below, use a crimper or special screws. Between the studs you can lay insulation, as Rockwool slabs, to improve the thermal and acoustic impact.
In commercial buildings, where the spaces are bigger and the walls higher, it is usually more easy and cheap to use metal studs. Even so, in homes it commonly costs more, because many average carpenters do not know how to work with metal. Even so, it is possible to build a whole house by means of metal studs; that has big advantages, because the house can come as a prefabricated package that you only assemble.
If you use metalstuds, it is very easy to create any form, even curves in the walls.
