Why an Arrow Mark in Measuring Tapes at 16", 32", and So On

If you look closely most tapes have arrow marks every 19.2" also. This is for non load bearing walls where code allows for wider stud spacing and you can save one stud every 8'.

In some, but few, areas 24" c-c is permitted for non load bearing walls. The same for joists on decks. For decks the joists usually have to be wider than the usual 2x6 or 2x8. Beams are usually spaced closer or heavier. All this means that every even foot number 2, 4, 6, 8,.......... On the tape is used for markers. Every odd foot number 1, 3, 5, 7, .......... can be used but isn't as dummy proof as the evens. Good Luck, Old Salt

I witnessed the use of the 19.2" spacing of trusses for the roof of a 4 car garage once. The project turned out quite nice, then was easily converted into temporary living quarters for the family building it, because all the amenities were included during the initial slab pour.

This stud spacing standard was developed by three little pigs.

I find these types of wall to be very poor in quality myself.....even for internal (infernal?) walls.....

No thanks.

Andy, I don't know how many remods you've done but it sure beats late 19th century plaster on lathe and the just put a beam where it sags building code. LOL

Don't even get me going on some of the interesting tube and knob installations I've run across. :-)

This is on the newer side of the big pond. We like to do things very quickly and very cheaply, as opposed to older European standards. If you don't like these walls, I can't imagine what you must think of our "pre-fabbed" houses that roll onto site behind trucks in two sections on wheels. At least we have eliminated the obvious seam between the two sections that was prevalent in first generation pre-fabs. Sure beats mobile home trailers, especially during a tornado.

You may interpret "cheaply" in either use of the word.

I walked in this morning to find this thread,and everything that needs to be said has been said, so I just peppered my GA votes where appropriate.

Since American building codes aren't used universally (or even globally), it's easy to understand the confusion about the 16" arrows on the tape measure. Every contractor or homeowner who looks at a tape measure would see that mark and instantly (or should instantly, in they've got two working brain cells and have ever measures the stud width on an unfinished wall before) know what it means.

Personally, I did not know about the wider spacing for non load-bearing walls, I don't think I've ever seen that before, just 16" on center, and occasionally, 12" on center. I believe the 12" on center is either an older standard, a layout for 'heavy load bearing' walls, like under a dance studio, or someone who does not understand the building codes 'guestimating' what the spacing should be.

That is the standard stud spacing in normal construction. Just makes the dimensions easier to see.

In the USA a "surveyor's chain" is a different thing. Use a search engine on the term, because it is more than I want to repeat. The whole chain was 66 feet, but each link was just under 8 inches (7.92") which may be the 8" mentioned in the OP. There are 100 links in the chain to make 66'.

What many of the answers have not said is that this is a USA standard. I am sure there is a metric standard in your country and other countries that use the metric system. -- JHF