Quick answer: there is no single stud spacing that is correct for every timber partition. 400mm and 600mm centres are both used in UK stud-wall work, but the right layout depends on the plasterboard or lining, wall height, timber section and any tested or specified wall system you are following.
Do not choose 400mm or 600mm simply because a calculator, video or old rule of thumb gives you that number. Start with the wall you are actually building and the boards that need supporting.
What does “studs at 400mm centres” mean?
Stud spacing is normally measured centre to centre. If studs are at 400mm centres, the centre line of one stud is 400mm from the centre line of the next. The same applies to 600mm centres.
This matters when setting out plasterboard because you are planning where board edges and intermediate fixings land, not simply creating equal-looking gaps between pieces of timber.
Should a stud wall use 400mm or 600mm centres?
Neither figure is a universal default.
600mm centres can be completely correct where the board and complete wall system are designed for that layout. British Gypsum, for example, publishes tested non-loadbearing timber partition systems using 63 × 38mm CLS at 600mm centres with specified plasterboard, screws and other components.
That does not mean every wall should be changed to 600mm centres. It means the framing layout should follow the board or wall-system specification rather than a remembered number.
400mm centres are also used in UK timber framing and partition work, particularly where the board layout, wall design or specification calls for closer supports. Again, the reason should come from the build-up you are using rather than an assumption that closer is always better.
Start with the plasterboard layout
If the wall will be plasterboarded, decide which board size and orientation you are using before fixing the studs permanently. Board edges need suitable support, and the stud layout needs to work with the sheet dimensions and the manufacturer’s fixing instructions.
This is why changing stud centres after choosing a tested fire or acoustic wall system can be a problem: the stud spacing is one part of the complete tested construction.
Browse our plasterboard sheets alongside the framing rather than treating them as an afterthought.
Openings change the repeated spacing
A doorway, window or other opening interrupts the regular run of studs. Extra framing may be required around the opening, so a simple calculation based only on wall length cannot produce a reliable timber take-off for every wall.
The same applies to corners, returns and junctions with existing walls. Set out the complete frame, not just the uninterrupted part of the wall.
What about noggins?
Noggins are separate from the vertical stud-centre decision. They may be used for board support, framing stability, openings or to provide fixing support for items that will later be attached to the wall.
Their position should follow the wall design and board/fixing requirements rather than an arbitrary rule that every wall needs the same number of rows.
Does timber size change the stud spacing?
The timber section is one part of the wall design, but a larger piece of CLS does not automatically mean you can increase the centres. Likewise, moving the studs closer together does not turn a generic partition into a structurally rated wall.
Our current CLS timber finishes at 38 × 63mm, 38 × 89mm and 38 × 140mm. If a drawing or tested system specifies a particular section and spacing, use that combination.
How should I set out the studs?
- Mark the complete wall line, including openings, corners and returns.
- Choose the plasterboard or lining and check its installation requirements.
- Check whether the wall follows a tested fire, acoustic or other specified system.
- Mark the required stud centres on both the head and sole plates.
- Plan opening framing and any extra support before fixing the repeated studs.
- Check that board edges and required intermediate fixings will land on suitable framing.
For the complete sequence, see our guide to building an internal stud wall with CLS timber.
Why we do not give one “correct” stud spacing
A simple answer such as “always use 400mm centres” would be easy to publish, but it would be wrong for some perfectly valid wall systems. The useful answer is to make the framing follow the lining and the required wall performance.
If you are planning the full job, our Build a Stud Wall project collection brings together CLS, plasterboard, door linings and fixings. If you are unsure about the material list or layout, give Wern-Wood a call and we can discuss the options with you before you order.
General guidance for non-loadbearing internal timber partitions. Structural, fire-rated, acoustic and other performance-led walls should follow the relevant design or tested manufacturer system.
