How To: Use a Stud Finder

Master this tool and technique, and you can rest assured that whatever you wall-mount—mirror, television, or shelves—won't be going anywhere.

how to use a stud finder


When hanging heavy mirrors, bracing large furniture, wall-mounting a new television, or erecting shelving, you need to start with the sturdy support of a 2×4 wall stud. Sure, nailing into drywall alone may be sufficient for hanging light wall art, but these fasteners can cause the wall to crumble if weighed down too much—not like the wood studs that exist to hold up drywall. There’s too much at stake to be less than 100 percent certain of the location of the stud’s center. Why risk a kitchen shelf loaded with dishes or baking supplies crashing down at any moment because you miscalculated where to place the fasteners?

Fortunately, stud finders are practically foolproof and even easier to use than the old-school stud-finding methods, which can come in handy in minor situations. Read on for how to use a stud finder for a worry-free wall-hanging project.

Tools & Materials

How to Use a Stud Finder

Learning how to use a stud finder is an important skill for any homeowner. You’ll find it’s usefulness invaluable as you tackle a wide variety of DIY projects.


Get to know the kind of stud finder you picked up. Is it a magnetic stud finder or does it read the density of the wall? Magnetic stud finders will read screws and nails behind the wall, but whether or not these are dead-center still requires some guesswork. If your project is valuable or heavy, it’s best to use a center-finding, density-reading stud finder that will show the edges of your studs. No matter which type you pick up at the home improvement store, how to use a stud finder doesn’t change—only the information is displayed differently.

STEP 1: Identify your hanging location.

how to use a stud finder


Decide where you roughly want to hang your item. Know where the top should be and how far down it requires mounting. This is the height at which you want to search the wall for studs. Remove any nearby wall-mounted photos or other partly-metal objects that could interfere with readings on a magnetic stud finder and set them aside for now.

STEP 2: Make sure your stud finder is powered up.

Ensure your stud finder batteries are fresh and functioning, as weak batteries can greatly distort readings. Also, check to make sure the flat side of the stud finder (where you’ll see the contacts and usually some felt to protect the wall from scratches) is clean of debris and dust.

STEP 3: Locate the stud.

Studs are usually 16 inches apart (sometimes 24 inches apart in really old homes), so you’ll be looking for a stud somewhere within a two-foot span. Hold your stud finder flat against the wall, about 1 foot left of where you ideally want to drill.

Turn it on. Usually, this is done with buttons mounted on the sides where you grip the tool. Now press a button to calibrate the stud finder; when the tool stops flashing or beeping, then it’s ready to go. (Check your manual for exactly how your stud finder is calibrated, as it varies.)

STEP 4: Move the stud finder.

Slowly slide the stud finder to the right, horizontally, while keeping the unit flat on the wall.

franklin sensors stud finder


STEP 5: Mark the spot where there is a stud.

When the stud finder alerts you to a stud—via a beep or flashing light, depending on the finder in question—retrace the last few inches with the unit, to double-check where the alert is occurring.

STEP 6: Find dead center.

Mark the correct spot with your pencil. If you’re using a center-finding stud finder, you’ll be shown where the edges of the studs are. Mark each edge so that, when you go to drill or hammer into the stud, you’ll know where dead center is.

STEP 7: Double-check your work.

Don’t accept this alert as the end of your journey; instead, continue searching for the flanking studs 16 to 24 inches away from the initial mark following steps 3 through 6.

Even though your tool indicated that it located a stud right where you need it, a stud finder can signal false positives when there is metal piping or flashing or brackets within the wall. Make sure your alert wasn’t a false positive by also locating the studs on either side of the one on which you plan to mount your mirror, television, shelf bracket, or other heavy items.

Mark their locations upon finding them, and then measure. If, in fact, they are 16 or 24 inches apart, then you’ve found your center stud. Now you’re ready to hammer or drill as needed. Proceed carefully and precisely, and you’ll have no regrets.

Of course, if you prefer the DIY route, you can find wall studs without dedicated equipment. While not fail-proof, these three methods will come in handy if you choose to forgo using a stud finder.

how to use a stud finder


FAQ About How to Use Stud Finders

Have more questions about using a stud finder? Keep reading before you start your project.

Can your phone be used as a stud finder?

Yes, your smartphone can be used as a stud finder if you download an application designed for that purpose. Most stud finder apps use the magnetometer function built into smartphones to detect metal. Similar to a magnetic stud finder, a phone app pressed against a wall surface will alert you to areas where screws and other fasteners are situated behind drywall, mostly likely indicating stud locations.

Do you want to drill into a stud?

In cases where you intend to hang a heavy object on a wall, yes, you want to drill into a wood stud. Drilling into a stud and using heavy-duty fasteners will ensure that the object is mounted securely.

How do I know where the studs are in my wall?

The best way to find studs in a wall is to use a density-reading stud finder. That way, you’ll be able to spot not only stud locations but also the center of a stud, which is important when mounting heavy objects on a wall.

What does it mean with stud finder beeps continuously?

One common cause of a stud finder beeping is that it needs to be recalibrated. In that case, simply try to restart your pass along the wall to get a better reading. Some stud finders can also detect voltage and will beep to alert the user of live wires behind drywall.

For more home improvement advice, consider:
Solved! How High to Hang Pictures
Quick Tip: Use a Painting Tool for Easier Picture Hanging
How To: Hang Picture Frames on a Brick Wall