In the UK, internal partition walls are usually built with timber or metal studs, with plasterboard (drywall) mounted over them. Studs are typically spaced at 400 mm or 600 mm centres. To locate them, the most reliable methods use tools to find the screws or nails holding the plasterboard to the timber.
Magnet On a String
Tie the magnet to a piece of string or floss and run it horizontally along the wall an inch away from the surface. If the magnet is strong enough, it will stick to the wall when it comes across any screws or nails that were hit into the stud during the wall's construction.
Yes, your phone can function as a stud finder, but with a catch: it uses your phone's built-in magnetometer (which powers the compass) to detect the metal screws or nails hidden in your drywall, rather than the wood itself.
Look for electrical outlets or light switches, as studs are usually nearby. Tap the wall and listen for a solid sound indicating a stud. Measure 16 or 24 inches from a corner to locate standard stud spacing.
Knowing what lurks behind the surface of your walls is crucial, whether you're just doing some simple DIY, like hanging pictures, or fixing furniture to the wall, to more complex renovating tasks, like knocking down internal walls. This is where a stud finder wall scanner comes in very handy.
Standard Stud Spacing In The UK
That matters because plasterboard sheets (usually 1,200 mm wide) are designed to fit neatly with standard spacing. In the UK, most walls are framed at either 400 mm or 600 mm centres, occasionally 450 mm for certain board layouts or curved walls.
Quick Look
Studs run vertically behind the drywall in your home or apartment. Knocking, using magnets, and flashlights are a few ways to help you locate a stud without a stud finder.
Even if you're opting for a more open-plan design, the structure of your home will contain internal walls to add permanent division between rooms and spaces. But, not all internal walls are equal and will be built using either a stud or solid construction method.
Magnets are a great way to find studs and are more reliable than the best stud finder tools as long as there is ferrous metal hardware in the wall.
To build a reliable, free DIY stud finder, use a powerful rare-earth magnet or a metal-detecting smartphone app to locate the hidden nails and screws securing your drywall to the framing.
The iPhone does not have a built-in stud-finder tool. However, you can download a metal detector app from the App Store. These apps use the iPhone’s built-in magnetometer (compass) to detect the metal screws or nails used to attach drywall to the wooden studs.
You can use your smartphone to find studs, either by downloading a metal-detecting app or by purchasing a specialized radar attachment like the Walabot DIY 2. Both methods offer distinct levels of accuracy and functionality.
An electrician has reliable, specialist tools, including a cable detector, which means they can find where the wires run in your property. They can map out where the cables are so that you can know for certain. This will give you peace of mind in the future when doing any internal electrical installation or other DIY.
To safely avoid drilling into electrical wires, shut off the power at the breaker box before starting. Avoid drilling directly above, below, or to the sides of outlets and switches, as wires generally run vertically or horizontally to these fixtures. Always use a reliable stud finder with a live-wire detector.
Get a magnet!
A magnet slowly moved up, down and side to side across a wall can locate the screws used to fasten the plasterboard or lath to the studs. Find these screws and you've found your stud.
In the UK, drywall is primarily referred to as plasterboard.
After the great fire of London, a mandate was brought in to prevent the use of timber as a structural material in the area—as a result, stone and bricks became the default choice for housebuilders.
Yes, your phone can function as a stud finder, but with a catch: it uses your phone's built-in magnetometer (which powers the compass) to detect the metal screws or nails hidden in your drywall, rather than the wood itself.
Drywall Anchor Types for Lighter Items
Plastic ribbed anchors are the most commonly used anchors for lighter items and can hold up to 10 pounds per pair. Threaded drywall anchors are suitable for objects weighing up to 25 pounds and are ideal for use on drywall.
Yes, you can easily find wall studs without a dedicated tool using a few time-tested DIY methods.
Most mounting mistakes happen because the stud finder wasn't calibrated or the “stud” edges weren't confirmed. Calibrate first, then find both edges. If it reads a stud that's way too wide, it's picking up something else.
You Can Legally Metal Detect On Private land with written landowner permission including farms, fields, woodlands, and gardens is the safest legal option. Crown Estate beaches are mostly free to detect, while local authority beaches may require permits or have restrictions.
Yes, you can use your smartphone as a stud finder — most phones have a built-in magnetometer that can detect nails or screws in studs, giving you a basic way to locate them. But don't expect pinpoint accuracy. Your phone alone won't detect plastic or metal pipes, and it may miss electrical wires altogether.