Wall Framing Calculator

How much lumber does your wall actually need? Enter wall length (or building perimeter), pick height and stud spacing, add your openings — get a full lumber takeoff with waste factor and cost. Based on typical Canadian platform-framing practice with editable prices.

Walls

Total wall length (ft)

For a full building, use the perimeter — e.g., 24×30 garage = 108 ft.

Wall height

Stud spacing

Stud size

Corners

Each corner adds 2 extra studs (3-stud corner).

Windows

Man doors

Garage doors

Big headers are typically engineered (LVL) — priced separately below.

Waste / cutoff factor

Plan your cut list before ordering — it's the cheapest way to shrink this number.

Include wall sheathing?

Adjust lumber prices (CAD, editable)

Price per stud ($)

Auto-set from size/height — override with your local price.

Plate stock, 16 ft ($/pc)

Header lumber ($/lin ft)

Doubled 2×10 equivalent for windows/man doors.

LVL / engineered header ($/lin ft)

Garage door headers; confirm size with supplier/engineer.

Sheathing ($/4×8 sheet)

Lumber package (incl. waste)

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Lumber Takeoff

Item	Quantity	Cost

Disclaimer: This calculator estimates lumber using typical Canadian platform-framing practice (single bottom plate, double top plate, 3-stud corners, standard opening framing). It is a planning takeoff, not a code-compliant design — stud size/spacing limits, header sizing, point loads, and bracing requirements are set by your provincial building code and your permit drawings. Garage door and long-span headers usually require engineered sizing. Confirm the final design with your building department and, where required, an engineer or truss/beam supplier.

How this estimate works

Studs = wall length ÷ spacing + 1, plus 2 extra per corner, plus opening framing: each window adds ~7 (kings, jacks, cripples), each man door ~5, each garage door ~8 (jack/king posts each side). Plates = 3 runs of wall length (single bottom + double top) in 16-ft stock. Headers: ~5 lin ft of doubled header stock per window, ~4 per man door, and ~11 lin ft of engineered (LVL) stock per garage door. Sheathing = wall area ÷ 32 sq ft per sheet, openings ignored (offcuts rarely survive reuse). Everything is then multiplied by your waste factor — and see our garage cost guide for what framing means in the full project budget.