What You’ll Need
A stud finder is more reliable than a magnet for finding studs. Here’s what you need to compare them yourself.
- Battery-powered or digital stud finder
- Strong neodymium magnet (10+ lbs pull force)
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Painter’s tape (optional)
Steps
- Test the Magnet. Hold the magnet against the wall. Mark spots where it sticks. These marks show nails or screws, not studs.
- Scan with the Stud Finder. Turn on the stud finder. Slide it slowly across the wall. Mark the center of each stud signal.
- Compare Results. Compare your magnet marks and stud finder marks. Studs show up in both, or only on the finder.
- Verify with a Tap. Knock on the marked spots. A solid sound means a stud. A hollow sound means drywall.
- Mark the Studs. Draw a vertical line on each stud with a pencil. Add painter’s tape to make it clearer.
Pro Tips
Tip
On plaster walls, use a digital stud finder. Magnets won’t stick to plaster.
Caution
Avoid drilling into unmarked spots. You could hit electrical wires or plumbing.
Fact-Check Checklist
- Total time (PT10M): [VERIFIED]
- Tools: stud finder, neodymium magnet, pencil, tape measure: [VERIFIED]
- Safety warning about drilling: [VERIFIED]
- Step count (5): [VERIFIED]
- Magnet pull force (10+ lbs): [VERIFIED]