Wall Stud Notching and Boring Limits (IRC R602.6)
The 'can I drill or notch this stud' field check on the actual stud width: a notch may not exceed 25% of the width in a bearing or exterior wall, or 40% in a nonbearing wall; a bored hole may not exceed 40% (single stud) or 60% (doubled, up to two successive), with the hole edge at least 5/8 in from the stud edge and not in the same cross section as a notch. A 2x6 (5.5 in) bearing stud allows a 1.375 in notch and a 2.20 in single bore; a 2x4 (3.5 in) nonbearing stud allows a 1.40 in notch. Prescriptive IRC limits; a plumbing/mechanical wall, an engineered stud, or a shear wall may be tighter, and the AHJ-adopted code governs. A field check, not a stamped detail.
Formula and source
notch_max_bearing = 0.25 x stud_width; notch_max_nonbearing = 0.40 x stud_width; bore_single_max = 0.40 x stud_width; bore_doubled_max = 0.60 x stud_width; edge_min = 0.625 in (5/8 in).
IRC R602.6 wall-stud notching and boring limits, by name; the percentages apply to the actual stud width. The AHJ-adopted IRC edition governs.
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