Studs
Metal stud manufacturers are required to stamp the stud size and gauge on each product. For instance, ClarkDietrich labels 6-inch, 16-gauge studs with CD600S162-54 50 KSI. This tells you the stud is 6 inches wide with a 1-5/8 inch (1.62 inch) flange and is 16-ga (54 mils) thick. Finally, it shows the steel strength to be 50 ksi.
Since the materials come off rollers being fed by large coils of steel, the limiting factor on stud/track lengths is the size of the rolling facility and the ability to ship it to the job site.
Pay attention to stud heights as a small difference in height, such as 3-feet, can change the required gauge to increase two increments. Strict deflection limitations can also drive costs. Consider the geographic area (in terms of high wind speeds near the coast). If you aren’t sure which sizes you need, it’s best to consult a cold-formed steel engineer.
ClarkDietrich’s plant in Bristol, Conn. can roll a stud/joist well over 100 feet long. Shipping is the limiting factor. For practicality sake, we recommend maximum stud lengths around 40 feet depending upon the size. Smaller and thinner studs are very difficult to work with as they get longer. It’s best to consult your specialty engineer to make the appropriate decision for your project.
Stud
Member Depth (in)
Flange Width (in)
Material Thickness (mils)
1-5/8
1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 332-1/2
1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 333-5/8
1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 4 1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 6 1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33Track
Member Depth
Flange Width
Material Thickness (GA)
1-5/8 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 2-1/2 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 3-5/8 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 4 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 6 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33Structural Steel Stud
Member Depth
Flange Width
Material Thickness (GA)
1-5/8
1-3/8, 1-5/8 20-162-1/2
1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-143-1/2
1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-14 3-5/8 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 4 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 5 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 6 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3 20-12 8 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3 20-12 10 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 18-10 12 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 16-10 14 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 16-10Structural Steel Track
Member Depth
Flange Width
Material Thickness (GA)
1-5/8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2 20-16 2-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-14 3-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-14 3-5/8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 4 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 5-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 6 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 10 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 18-10 12 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 16-10 14 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 16-10Structural
Member Depth
Flange Width
Material Thickness (GA)
2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 5-1/2, 6, 8 2-1/2 20-14 2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 6, 8 3 20-14 Non-Structural
Member Depth
Flange Width
Material Thickness (mils)
2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 6, 8 2-1/2 30-337/8″
18, 30, 43, 54 Furring Channel 1-1/2″ 18, 30, 43, 54Z-Furring
1″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
1-1/2″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
2″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
2-1/2″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
3″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
1-1/2″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
2″ 18 & 30Z-Furring
2-1/2″ 18 & 30 Z-Furring 3″ 18 & 30 Z-Girt 1-1/2″ 33, 43, 54 Z-Girt 2″ 33, 43, 54 Z-Girt 2-1/2″ 33, 43, 54 Z-Girt 3″ 33, 43, 54 Z-Girt 3-1/2″ 33, 43, 54 Z-Girt 4″ 33, 43, 54 Spazzer Bar 7/8″x7/8 33 Spazzer Bar 1-1/4″x1-1/4″ 43 Spazzer Bar 1-1/4″x1-1/4″ 54U-Channel
3/4″ 54U-Channel
1-1/2″ 54Here is an explanation of stud sizes in reference to thickness:
In general, the capacity of a stud depends on many variables — stud size, height, gauge, bracing condition, and lateral load.
Heavy-duty projects that require stability and a strong foundation typically need thicker metal studs.
In some cases, unusual stud sizes — or metal studs that match standard wood sizes — are requested for a project. If you’re looking for something specific, please contact us today.
If you’d like additional information on how to identify cold-formed steel material thicknesses in the field, read our blog post here.
Curtain Wall Framing Systems support the exterior skin or cladding of commercial and industrial buildings. The studs for these framing systems must be able to withstand:
Exterior curtain walls are non-axial load bearing and must be designed to withstand the highest lateral loads, wind or seismic, prescribed by the building code for the particular construction location and type. Limited heights in the above lookup tool and tables are for single span systems only. It is recommended to have a vertical deflection gap between the top of the stud and top track for primary structure movement as required by the E.O.R. A deep leg deflection track system is used in this condition.
Exterior curtain walls must be designed to withstand the highest lateral loads anticipated for the particular construction location and type. Wind pressures can be found in the project's structural drawings under the “general notes” section. Required lateral loads for design must be provided by the E.O.R. or the Specialty Engineer.
Historically there have been differences in the design wind pressures determined through different versions of the model building codes. Older versions of the codes provided service level loads (ASD) while newer versions provide strength level loads (LRFD). Since IBC 2012/ASCE 7-10 design wind pressures have been determined via strength level (LRFD) loads. The load/span tables that follow are based on service level (ASD) wind loads. Therefore, to properly use the load/span tables in this catalog, multiply the IBC 2021/ASCE 7-16 design wind pressures by 0.6 (reference section 2.4 ASCE 7-16) prior to entering the load/span tables.
The load/span tables that follow are based on service level (ASD) wind loads. If the wind load being used meets this criterion, it does not need to be modified prior to using the tables.
The main purpose of specifying an allowable stud deflection for curtain wall framing is actually for determining what is an acceptable deflection for the wall facing materials. A metal stud is ductile and therefore can perform at a wide range of deflections. Wall facing materials tend to be more brittle (Brick, Stucco or EIFS), and thus have a more stringent maximum allowable deflection. The project architect or project specifications should note what the allowable deflection is for a given wall facing material.
Typical Deflection Requirements: (L = Length in inches)
For example a 20’ wall at L/240 (L = Length in inches, divided by 240) could have a lateral deflection of (20x12/240) = 1”.
Limiting heights are based on continuous lateral support (rigid sheathing) on each flange over the full height of the stud. Horizontal structural bridging (or bracing) is defaulted to be at 4 ft. on center for the purposes of the values shown in the lookup tool and tables. The actual bridging that is ultimately provided is to be determined by the licensed specialty engineer responsible for the cold-formed steel design for the given project. Contact ClarkDietrich Technical Services to help determine maximum spacing of the lateral bracing.
Adding additional horizontal bridging will not reduce the actual deflection in the wall. To reduce the deflection of a wall stud, either a heavier member is required or an intermediate structural support must be provided.
See all design notes on the bottom of the lookup tool and tables.
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