Plan interior & exterior wall framing with an instant IRC-compliant cut list — studs, plates, headers, windows, doors & garage doors
Plan your wall framing project in minutes. This free tool generates an IRC-compliant cut list for studs, plates, headers, and all framing members—no carpentry experience required.
Type your wall's length and height in feet and inches. Use decimal inches or whole inches—the calculator handles both. Select your wall type: interior partition walls use 2×4 studs; load-bearing exterior walls use 2×6 studs per IRC requirements.
Select 16" on center (O.C.) or 24" O.C. spacing. Most residential framing uses 16" O.C. for exterior walls and load-bearing walls. 24" O.C. is common for non-load-bearing interior partitions and can reduce lumber costs by up to 25%.
Click + Add Window, + Add Door, or + Add Garage Door for each opening in your wall. Enter the rough opening width and height. The calculator automatically adds king studs, jack studs, correctly sized headers, and cripple studs per IRC code.
The Materials Cut List below the visualization shows every piece of lumber by type, quantity, and length. The Cost Estimator calculates total lumber cost based on current board-foot pricing. Add a 10–15% overage for waste and cuts.
Use the Export PDF button to save your framing plan. The 2D visualization and cut list print clearly for use at the lumber yard or on the job site. Save your project with the Save Project button to return to it later.
Quick reference tables for IRC-compliant residential wall framing. All dimensions are for standard wood-frame construction in the United States.
Minimum header sizes for load-bearing walls (IRC R602.7). Always check local codes—some jurisdictions require larger headers.
| Opening Width | Interior Wall | Exterior 2×4 Wall | Exterior 2×6 Wall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3'-6" | 2×4 on flat | Double 2×4 | Double 2×6 |
| 3'-6" to 5'-0" | Double 2×4 | Double 2×6 | Double 2×8 |
| 5'-0" to 6'-0" | Double 2×6 | Double 2×8 | Double 2×10 |
| 6'-0" to 8'-0" | Double 2×8 | Double 2×10 | Double 2×12 |
| 8'-0" to 10'-0" | Double 2×10 | Double 2×12 | LVL Beam |
| Over 10'-0" | Engineered lumber (LVL) — consult a structural engineer | ||
| Factor | 16" O.C. | 24" O.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Studs per 10 ft of wall | 8 | 5–6 |
| Structural strength | Higher | Lower |
| Drywall support | Excellent | Good (use ⅝" drywall) |
| Insulation flexibility | Standard batts | Wide batts or rigid foam |
| Typical use | Exterior & load-bearing | Interior partitions |
| Lumber savings | Baseline | ~25% fewer studs |
Lumber sold at the store is labeled by nominal size but is smaller when you measure it. This calculator uses actual dimensions for accurate visualizations.
| Nominal Size | Actual Size | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2×4 | 1½" × 3½" | Interior walls, non-load-bearing exterior |
| 2×6 | 1½" × 5½" | Load-bearing exterior walls |
| 2×8 | 1½" × 7¼" | Headers for medium openings |
| 2×10 | 1½" × 9¼" | Headers for wide openings |
| 2×12 | 1½" × 11¼" | Large headers, garage door openings |
| Ceiling Height | Stud Length | Plates |
|---|---|---|
| 8'-0" finished | 92⅝" precut | 1 bottom + 2 top = 4½" |
| 9'-0" finished | 104⅝" precut | 1 bottom + 2 top = 4½" |
| 10'-0" finished | 116⅝" precut | 1 bottom + 2 top = 4½" |
| Custom height | Height − 4½" | 1 bottom plate + double top plate |
IRC requires a double top plate on load-bearing walls. Non-load-bearing partitions may use a single top plate with appropriate hardware.
Answers to the most common questions about DIY wall framing, lumber calculations, and IRC building code requirements.
For a 12-foot wall with 16" O.C. stud spacing, you need approximately 10 studs (one every 16 inches plus end studs at each corner). With 24" O.C. spacing, you need about 7 studs.
If the wall has a window or door, add 2 king studs and 2 jack studs per opening. Use our calculator above—just enter your dimensions and it handles all the counting automatically.
16" O.C. is the most common choice for load-bearing exterior walls. It provides greater rigidity, better drywall support, and is required in many jurisdictions for exterior framing.
24" O.C. uses fewer studs, reducing material cost by roughly 25%. It is acceptable per IRC for many interior non-load-bearing partition walls and some exterior configurations. Check your local building code before choosing 24" spacing for load-bearing applications.
Header size depends on the span (opening width) and whether the wall is load-bearing:
For 2×6 exterior walls, headers are typically doubled with a ½" OSB spacer to match wall thickness. For garage doors wider than 10 feet, a triple 2×12 or engineered LVL beam is required. Our calculator sizes headers automatically based on IRC R602.7.
King studs run the full height of the wall—from bottom plate to top plate—on each side of a window or door opening. They provide the primary lateral support for the opening.
Jack studs (also called trimmer studs) are shorter studs nailed inside the king studs. They run from the bottom plate to the underside of the header, directly bearing the header's load.
Cripple studs are short studs that fill in above and below openings at regular on-center spacing. Top cripples sit above the header; bottom cripples (sill cripples) support the rough window sill.
Per IRC (International Residential Code), load-bearing exterior walls use 2×6 studs. This provides the structural capacity to carry roof and floor loads, and allows for R-19 or R-21 batt insulation.
Non-load-bearing exterior walls may use 2×4 studs, and interior partition walls standardly use 2×4 studs. If you're unsure whether your wall is load-bearing, consult a licensed structural engineer or your local building department.
The formula for board feet is: (thickness inches × width inches × length feet) ÷ 12.
For example, a 2×4 stud that is 8 feet long = (2 × 4 × 8) ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet.
Our wall framing calculator totals board feet for every member automatically. When purchasing lumber, add 10–15% for waste from cuts and defects. Round stud counts up to the nearest whole number and plates up to standard lengths (8', 10', 12', 14', 16').
In most US jurisdictions, any structural framing work requires a building permit—including adding new walls, moving walls, or removing walls. Interior non-load-bearing partitions may be exempt in some cities or counties.
Requirements vary by location. Always contact your local building department before starting. Unpermitted work can cause complications during home sales, insurance claims, or future renovations.
The rough opening (RO) is the framed opening—typically ½" to 1" wider and taller than the window or door unit to allow for shimming and leveling.
Always check the window or door manufacturer's installation instructions for their specific rough opening requirements.