To find studs for a TV mount, scan with a stud finder, mark both edges, then confirm with a magnet or an outlet box and measure 16 inches (406 mm) along the wall. A stud is about 1.5 in wide, so aim for its centre. Pixl finds the studs and marks the height with you on every TV mounting visit.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Checked November 1, 2026. 7 min read.
- Six ways to find a stud
- A six-step verify routine
- Corner layout at 16 in and 24 in
- What changes in plaster, tile and metal studs
- Use two methods, not one: a stud finder plus a magnet or an outlet box.
- Mark both edges and drill the centre; a stud is about 1.5 in wide.
- Studs are usually 16 in (406 mm) apart, sometimes 24 in (610 mm).
- Some stud finder manuals list lath and plaster and ceramic tile as unsupported, so those walls need other methods.
- Pixl includes finding the studs and marking the height in its TV mounting labour.
What are the ways to find a stud?
Use two methods that do not depend on each other. An electronic finder reads density; a magnet reads fasteners; an outlet box reads how the wall was built.
| Method | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic stud finder, then confirm | Calibrate on a bare section, slide it flat, mark both edges, and the centre is midway between them (Zircon) | Pipes and wiring can read as studs; not for lath and plaster or tile |
| Strong magnet | Slide it in widening circles until it catches the drywall screws or nails | Fasteners may not be at the centre; find two or three |
| Outlet or switch box | At least one side of the box is fixed to a stud; knock each side, then measure about 3/4 in from the box on the solid side (Bob Vila) | Turn the power off before probing |
| Baseboard or trim nail holes | Trim is nailed into studs; look for filled dimples | Trim can be nailed into blocking or plates too |
| Knock test | Hollow low sound between studs; the pitch rises over a stud | Easy to misjudge; use with another method |
| Finish nail or small test hole | Resistance, or wood on the drill bit, proves a stud | Hole must be where the mount covers it; check for wires first |
Want the studs found for you?
Finding the studs and marking the height with you is part of Pixl labour. Text a photo of the wall; we confirm the price before booking, and you pay after the job.
How do you find and verify studs step by step?
- Choose the zone. Mark where the TV and the mount plate will sit. Most plates need two studs, so look for a pair under the plate.
- Scan and mark both edges. Calibrate the finder on a bare section, keep it flat and keep your hand 6 in (152 mm) away, as the Zircon manual says. Mark where it first reads a stud, scan back from the other side, and mark the second edge. The centre is midway.
- Cross-check. Run a magnet over the marks and look at the nearest outlet box. If a finder and a magnet agree on a line, that is your stud.
- Measure along the wall. Measure 16 in from the confirmed centre, then 32, 48 and so on, and knock-test at each. If they land, you know the pattern.
- Probe once. Drive a finish nail where the mount will cover it, or drill a small hole with a thin bit. Firm resistance or wood confirms it.
- Check for wires and pipes. Outlets, switches, and plumbing runs often sit near studs. Turn the power off when you drill near them, as the Zircon manual warns.
Where should the studs be? A layout from the corner
A corner always has a stud, and 16 in is the usual starting spacing. This table (calculated) shows stud centres measured from a corner. It is a guess to test, not a promise: framing drifts near corners, doors and windows.
| Stud | At 16 in spacing | At 24 in spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Stud 1 | 16 in (406 mm) | 24 in (610 mm) |
| Stud 2 | 32 in (813 mm) | 48 in (1219 mm) |
| Stud 3 | 48 in (1219 mm) | 72 in (1829 mm) |
| Stud 4 | 64 in (1626 mm) | 96 in (2438 mm) |
| Stud 5 | 80 in (2032 mm) | – |
| Stud 6 | 96 in (2438 mm) | – |
Many plates must reach two studs 16 in apart. The MantelMount MM340 sheet lists “studs maximum 16 in apart” and says wider spacing needs extenders sold separately, so a 24 in wall needs extra planning. See pull-down and motorized TV mounts.
What changes in plaster, tile, metal-stud or masonry walls?
| Wall | What changes | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall over wood studs | Everything above works | This page |
| Plaster and lath | Zircon lists lath and plaster as unsupported; use a magnet for the lath nails and a deep-scan mode with care | How to mount a TV on plaster, tile or stucco |
| Tile | Zircon lists ceramic tile as unsupported; measure from the nearest plain wall | How to mount a TV on plaster, tile or stucco |
| Metal studs | Steel studs are typically 16 or 24 in on centre; thin steel needs different fasteners | Mounting a 75 inch TV on metal studs in a condo |
| Brick or concrete | No studs: masonry anchors | How to mount a TV on brick or concrete |
See plaster, tile or stucco, the metal-stud condo guide and brick and concrete.
What if there is no stud where the TV needs to go?
Move the plate sideways to catch two studs, or fasten a backer across them. Mounting a TV without studs ranks the options by safety and explains when toggle bolts are acceptable, so we do not repeat it here. Pick the height first with how high to mount a TV, then find the studs at that height.
Which mistakes cause missed studs?
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trusting one reading | A pipe, wire or fastener reads as a stud | Confirm with a second method |
| Calibrating over a stud | Calibration errors, as the Zircon manual warns | Calibrate on a bare section; keep it flat, no lifting or tilting |
| Drilling the edge | The screw bites only a sliver of wood | Mark both edges and drill the centre |
| Assuming 16 in everywhere | Framing drifts and changes near openings | Confirm each stud |
| Skipping the wire check | A drill hits a cable or pipe | Power off near boxes; keep clear of plumbing |
Pixl finds the studs: posted price and a worked total
Finding the studs and marking the height with you is included in Pixl TV mounting labour. In Calgary and Edmonton, labour is $79.99 for TVs up to 31 in, $99.99 for 32 to 60, $109.99 for 61 to 79, $149.99 for 80 to 89 and $189.99 for 90 and over, before tax. Mounts are $70 fixed, $80 tilt or $125 full-motion, and metal studs add $15.
| Job | How it adds up | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 55 in TV, your own mount, drywall over wood studs | $99.99 labour | $99.99 |
| 55 in TV, your own mount, metal studs | $99.99 + $15 metal studs | $114.99 |
| 65 in TV, tilt mount, metal studs | $109.99 + $80 + $15 | $204.99 |
Other cities have other labour rates. See TV mounting prices, TV mounting by wall type and the full price list.
Finding studs for TV mounting: frequently asked questions
How do you find studs without a stud finder?
Use a strong magnet to find the drywall screws, look at the edge of an outlet box (at least one side is fixed to a stud), check baseboard nail holes, and knock the wall: the sound goes from hollow to solid over a stud. Then measure 16 inches from a confirmed stud. This Old House and Bob Vila describe all of these.
How far apart are studs?
Usually 16 inches (406 mm) on centre, and sometimes 24 inches (610 mm) in newer or non-load-bearing walls. Steel studs are also typically 16 or 24 inches on centre. Homes vary and framing drifts near corners, doors and windows, so confirm each stud instead of trusting the pattern.
Do you have to mount a TV into a stud?
For anything but a very light TV, yes. A mount fastened only to drywall relies on anchors, and the safest base is a stud or a backer board across studs. If no stud lines up, read our guide on mounting a TV without studs.
How do I know I hit a stud?
Two independent signs. A stud finder edge-to-edge reading plus a magnet hit on the screws is solid. A finish nail that meets firm resistance, or a small test hole that shows wood, confirms it. A hollow feel means you missed.
Why does my stud finder keep giving false readings?
Pipes and wiring near the surface can read as studs, and Zircon notes that dense or damp-painted walls, lath and plaster, ceramic tile, foil-backed insulation and thick walls are not supported by its StudSensor Pro SL-AC. Also, calibrate on a bare section, keep the unit flat and do not tilt it.
Can I find studs in a condo with metal studs?
Yes, but the fasteners are different. Our condo guide says a magnetic stud finder reacts differently to metal than to wood, and metal studs are thin-gauge steel that a wood screw cannot grip. Read the metal-stud condo guide for the fasteners. Pixl adds $15 for metal studs.
Does Pixl find the studs for me?
Yes. Finding the studs and marking the height with you is included in Pixl’s TV mounting labour, from $79.99 for TVs up to 31 inches in Calgary and Edmonton. Pay after the job.
Want the studs found and the TV up?
Send a photo of the wall. We confirm the wall type and the price before booking, and you pay after the job.
Mount a TV without studs
How high to mount a TV
TV on plaster, tile or stucco
75 inch TV on metal studs
Why TV mounts fail
Installation price list
All installation guides
All installation services
Installation by project
Sources and method. Methods: This Old House, How to Find Studs; Bob Vila, How to Find a Wall Stud. Scan steps, edge and centre, 6 in hand distance, wire warning and unsupported surfaces: Zircon StudSensor Pro SL-AC user manual. Steel stud spacing: Build Using Steel, cold-formed steel framing. Dual-stud limit: MantelMount specification sheet. All checked November 1, 2026. The corner layout table multiplies 16 in and 24 in spacing by the stud number and converts to millimetres (1 in = 25.4 mm); it is a planning guide. Pixl prices are from the TV mounting service page; finding the studs is listed in the labour.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.