Why Find Studs?

Wall studs are the vertical timber or steel frames hidden behind plasterboard. Screwing into a stud gives a strong, secure fixing — essential for shelves, TVs, heavy pictures and any bracket carrying significant weight. Screwing into plasterboard alone pulls out under load.

How to Use an Electronic Stud Finder

  1. 1

    Place the stud finder flat against the wall

    Start in a clear area of wall. Press the stud finder flat against the surface — it needs full contact. Hold the calibrate button (if applicable) until it beeps or the light stops flashing, indicating it has calibrated to that spot's density.

  2. 2

    Slide slowly in one direction

    Slide the stud finder slowly and steadily horizontally across the wall. Moving too fast causes missed detections. Keep it pressed firmly against the wall throughout.

  3. 3

    Mark the first edge when it beeps

    When the stud finder beeps or lights up, mark that spot lightly with a pencil — this is one edge of the stud. Continue sliding in the same direction.

  4. 4

    Mark the second edge and find the centre

    The stud finder will beep again a short distance later — this is the other edge. Mark it. The centre of the stud is exactly halfway between your two marks. This is where you drill or screw.

  5. 5

    Verify with a small test nail

    Drive a small nail at your centre mark. If it goes in easily and meets resistance (the timber), you have found the stud. If it goes through with no resistance, you are in the gap — try 20mm either side.

No Stud Finder? Try These Methods

  • Knock test: Knock along the wall with your knuckles. A hollow sound means no stud; a dull, solid thud means a stud is behind it.
  • Look for clues: Power outlets and light switches are almost always screwed to a stud on one side. Find the stud next to an outlet and measure 400mm or 600mm along to find the next one.
  • Strong magnet: A strong magnet moved along the wall will stick when it passes over a drywall screw — these are always in studs.
Stud spacingIn Australia, studs are typically 450mm or 600mm apart. In older homes they may be 400mm. Once you have found one stud, measure these distances to locate the next ones without re-scanning the whole wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common causes: battery low (replace first), pipes or electrical cables in the wall triggering a detection (step back and try a different spot), or the wall has a double layer of plasterboard confusing the sensor. High-end stud finders have a deep scan mode that reduces false readings from cables and pipes.
For most TVs, studs are required — the weight and leverage of a TV on a wall arm creates significant pull-out force that plasterboard fixings cannot handle safely. If studs are not where you need them, a horizontal mounting plate (a timber batten fixed across two studs) lets you position the TV bracket anywhere along it.