How deep can a stud finder find a stud?

Author: Cecelia Streich  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

A stud finder is a handheld device designed to scan drywall for wood studs. Some stud finders may also be used to locate metal studs, while others may even detect wiring within your walls. They may find the edge or the center of stud boards. Some can detect studs up to 1 1/ 2 inches deep in the wall.

How deep can a stud finder detect?

The Auto Depth Scan Technology determines the thickness of the wall up to 1-1/2 in. thick to accurately identify wood and metal studs.

How deep should you drill into a stud?

Keep the holes centered on the studs and a consistent height off the floor. Drill holes into a stud at least 1/4 in.

How do you find deep studs?

Tap the wall with a knuckle. Listen to how it sounds. Keep tapping in a horizontal line across the wall and listen for differences in the sound. Does it sound hollow or like you are hitting something solid? The more solid sounding areas may be studs.

Will a stud finder work through two layers of drywall?

Difficulty with thick walls: If you have thick walls, especially those made of concrete or multiple layers of drywall, your stud finder may struggle to penetrate and provide accurate readings. In such cases, consider using a more powerful stud finder or consult a professional for assistance.

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How deep are studs behind drywall?

Drywall is attached flush to the studs, so the stud's depth depends on the thickness of the drywall. The most common drywall for interior walls is ½ inch thick. You may also encounter thicker ⅝ inch drywall, which is sometimes used for ceilings or with rooms that require soundproofing.

What is a deep scan on a stud finder?

What are Stud Scan and DeepScan® modes? Stud Scan mode locates studs through one layer of drywall up to ¾ in. (19 mm) thick. DeepScan® mode locates studs through two layers of drywall up to 1½ in.

How deep is a standard wall stud?

Timber wall frames are typically either 70mm or 90mm deep with 35mm or 45mm thick studs depending on load and spacing – usually 450 to 600mm. Noggins are installed between studs to provide lateral support, typically at either one-half or one-third wall height intervals.

How far apart are studs in old houses?

They are usually placed 16 inches apart on all walls. It can vary in older homes, but rarely would you find studs more than 24 inches apart. Windows and doors are also framed by studs for support. Above wide windows and doors, you might even find a wide header board.

How do you tell if you're drilling into a stud?

Simply grab the thinnest drill bit you have and drill where you suspect a stud to be. You've found a stud if you feel resistance and see wood on the bit when you remove it.

What is the best stud finder?

The Best Stud Finder for Home Use
  • Top pick. C.H. Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder. Durable, affordable, and accurate. ...
  • Runner-up. Studpop Magnetic Stud Finder. Smaller scanning area, but still great. ...
  • Upgrade pick. Franklin Sensors ProSensor 710. An electronic option that's expensive, but even more efficient.

Can you run electrical wire behind studs?

When running cable along the length of studs or joists, keep the cable to the center of each, leaving a 1 1/4-in. minimum clearance on each side of the framing member. When running cable through studs, drill all holes at the same height so that the cable is run level to the floor. Drill holes 6 to 8 in.

Can iPhone act as a stud finder?

It uses the magnetometer to measure the magnetic field when your iPhone is placed near any metal objects. You can quickly detect wood studs hidden under walls, drywall, plasterboard or stucco.

How deep can you notch a stud?

Notching. A stud in an exterior wall or bearing partition shall not be cut or notched to a depth exceeding 25 percent of its depth. Studs in nonbearing partitions shall not be notched to a depth exceeding 40 percent of a single stud depth.

How deep can a stud finder go?

(Most magnetic stud finders are lightweight and have magnets powerful enough that they will hold through the drywall.) Magnetic stud finders work to a depth of about ¾ inch, which is sufficient most of the time for finding studs in walls behind standard ½-inch or ⅝-inch drywall.

Can you mount a TV without studs?

Mounting Plates

Along with these drywall anchors, consider using a mounting plate or cleat made from metal or plywood. Mounting plates are placed behind the TV and screwed into the wall using any of the anchor screws above. The base of your TV wall mount can then be screwed into the mounting plate.

What to do if you can't find a stud in the wall?

Use a Magnet.

Use tape or dental floss with a magnet attached and drag it across the wall to find the stud. This method works because the metal screws used to secure the drywall are typically secured to a stud. Wait until the magnet sticks to the wall and mark the location of the stud—it's that easy.

What is the best tool to look through walls?

TWC TOOLS:

The TWC includes a set of three tools: a Wall Punch, a Clearing Drill, and a Camera Probe that is an ultra-miniature camera housed in a 2mm stainless steel probe. The TWC tools are designed to bore a 2mm hole through two layers of drywall and make discreet entry into adjacent rooms.

How accurate are stud finders?

Most stud finders today are highly accurate. However, if you're searching for a stud behind drywall, you can confirm the accuracy of your finding by pounding on the wall with the palm of your hand or a fist. First, pound where the device tells you the stud is located (it should feel solid and make little or no sound).

What is a deep scan?

Deep Scan – Scans the entire computer for all types of malware threats including viruses, spyware, adware, rootkits and others. As the Deep Scan scans the entire computer it can take some time to complete. We recommend running this scan when the computer is not in use.

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