A stud finder is a device used to locate the studs in a wall, which are the vertical supports that hold the wallboard in place. Studs are typically made of wood or metal, and they are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. Finding studs is important for hanging heavy objects, such as pictures, shelves, and mirrors, because studs provide the necessary support to keep the objects from falling.
There are two main types of stud finders: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic stud finders work by detecting the metal nails or screws that are used to secure the studs to the wallboard. Electronic stud finders use sensors to detect the density of the wallboard, and they can find studs even if they are not made of metal.