Finding studs lets you anchor heavy items — shelves, cabinets, TVs — into solid framing instead of just drywall, which can't hold much. There are a few reliable ways to locate them.
Use a stud finder
An electronic stud finder detects the density change at a stud. Slide it across the wall until it signals, mark both edges, and the centre is your fastening point. Studs are usually spaced 16 inches apart (sometimes 24), so once you find one, the others are predictable.
Find studs without a finder
Look for clues: outlets and switches are attached to the side of a stud, and baseboard nails mark stud locations. Tapping the wall reveals a solid (vs hollow) sound at a stud. Measuring 16-inch intervals from a known stud or a corner helps locate the rest.
Confirm before drilling
Verify by driving a small finishing nail or thin drill bit at your mark — it should hit solid wood. For heavy items between studs, use proper drywall anchors rated for the weight rather than relying on the drywall alone.