PSA: that 6 inch rule about stud spacing is not as set in stone as the old guys claim

Terry Webb · 2026-10-25T04:55:04.587875+00:00

I always heard 16 inches on center was the only right way, then last month a framer named Dale in Duluth showed me his copy of the IRC table and I was floored at how many cases allow 24. We were doing a shed wall with 2x6s and he ran them at 24 with no issue, passed inspection first try. I get that headers and heavy loads are a whole different story, but I think we repeat 16 like it's gospel without checking the span. How many of you actually look up the table for each job, or do you just stick to 16 out of habit?

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PSA: that 6 inch rule about stud spacing is not as set in stone as the old guys claim | Carpenters - Babble Community