A short stud is a stud that doesn't run the full height of the wall. You'll find them above and below every window and above every door in a timber frame. They're small, but if they're missing, poorly fixed or butchered by a plumber, you can end up with sagging sills, sticking windows and cracked plaster.
Here's what short studs are, the correct Australian terms, and what to check at your frame inspection.
C7 - Frame Stage Inspection Checklist
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Last updated 12 Oct 2026 · Revision 2 · Free updates for life
Checklist Type: Major (Frame Stage)
Form Factor: Fillable, print-ready PDF (A4, 20 pages)
When to use: Frame stage: after the frame and trusses are up, before linings go in
A 136-point frame stage checklist. Check walls, trusses, bracing, tie-downs and plan features against your drawings before the linings go in, while changes are still simple.
What is a short stud?
In a normal wall, each stud runs from the bottom plate to the top plate. When you put a window or door in the wall, some studs have to stop short. Those shorter pieces are short studs. In Australian Standard AS 1684 (Residential timber-framed construction) they're called jack studs. Some older chippies and US sources call them "cripple studs".
You'll see them:
- Under windows, running from the bottom plate up to the sill trimmer.
- Above windows and doors, running from the lintel or head trimmer up to the top plate.
They keep the stud spacing consistent across the opening, give the plasterboard and cladding something to fix to, and carry loads from the sill and top plate into the rest of the frame.
The parts around an opening, in Australian terms
US framing guides use different words, which causes confusion. Here's what you'll hear on an Australian site and see in AS 1684:
- Jamb studs. The full-height studs either side of an opening. They carry the lintel.
- Lintel. The beam over the opening that carries roof and wall loads across it. US guides call it a header.
- Sill trimmer. The horizontal member under a window opening.
- Head trimmer. A horizontal member at the top of a window or door opening where the lintel sits higher up.
- Jack studs. The short studs above the lintel or head trimmer and below the sill trimmer.
The sizes of lintels, studs and connections depend on the span, the roof load and your wind classification, and come from AS 1684 span tables or your engineer's design.
Where problems happen
Services cut through the wrong spot
Plumbers and electricians need to run pipes and cables through the frame. Holes and notches are allowed, but only within the limits in AS 1684, which depend on the stud size and where the hole sits. Large notches in short studs or jamb studs next to an opening weaken the frame exactly where it's working hardest.
Missing or poorly fixed short studs
Short studs left out, not fixed properly to plates and trimmers, or spaced irregularly leave nothing for linings to fix to and can let sills sag over time.
Openings moved during framing
When a window size changes or a door moves after framing starts, the fix is sometimes a "creative" mix of offcuts. That can upset the stud spacing, the lintel bearing and the bracing layout.
Openings out of square
If jamb studs, trimmers and short studs aren't set out carefully, the opening ends up out of square or the wrong size. Windows and doors then bind, gap or need packing. A well thought-through layout goes a long way toward keeping openings true.
What to check at frame stage
Frame stage is the time to check, while everything is still visible. Look for:
- Short studs in place above and below every window, and above every door, at the same spacing as the rest of the wall.
- Proper fixings at the plates, sill trimmers and lintels, with no split timber at nail points.
- Lintels of the size shown on the frame drawings or engineer's details, sitting fully on the jamb studs.
- Openings the right size and square. Measure the diagonals; they should match.
- Notches and holes small, neat and centred, not hacked out. Ask the builder if anything looks excessive.
- No mystery offcuts filling gaps where an opening was moved.
- Bracing in place as shown on the bracing plan, and not cut to make room for services.
Our C7 Frame Stage Inspection Checklist covers short studs, lintels and the rest of the frame in detail.
What about the subfloor?
In the US, a "cripple wall" is a short framed wall between the foundation and the floor, and much of the advice about them is about earthquakes. That's not how Queensland homes are usually built. Here, a raised floor normally sits on stumps or piers, with bearers and floor joists on top. If you have a raised home, the things to check are stump condition and bracing, tie-downs from stumps to bearers, joist fixings and termite protection. The C7 checklist covers the subfloor frame too.
FAQs
Is a short stud the same as a jack stud?
Yes. AS 1684 calls them jack studs. Cripple stud is the older or American name for the same thing.
Can a plumber notch a stud?
Yes, within the limits set in AS 1684 for the stud size and position. Big notches near openings, or notches in both edges of the same stud, are worth questioning. If in doubt, ask your builder to confirm it complies or have it reinforced.
What should I check around windows at frame stage?
Short studs above and below, a correctly sized lintel bearing on the jamb studs, a square opening of the right size, and neat fixings.
Further reading
C7 Timber Frame Checklist ExplainedLearn how the C7 Timber Frame Stage Inspection Checklist supports managing quality for the frame stage of construction. Understand technical terms, issues, and get an thorough understanding of how to manage quality for this stage of construction.
10 Steps for Quality Control in Frame Carpentry ExplainedEnsuring quality control in framing carpentry is pivotal for residential construction. From choosing a licensed carpenter to verifying bracing & tie-down, delve into 10 general areas that can make a significant difference.
Timber Framing Guide | Key Elements & CodesLearn the fundamentals of timber framing for residential construction in Australia. In this guide we cover sub floor, wall, and roof elements, bracing systems, and building code references.
Framing Timbers: Choosing Between 90x35 MGP & LVL timberChoosing the right framing material is crucial in construction. This detailed guide compares the 90x35 MGP framing timber and the LVL laminated veneer lumber, to help you make an informed decision. We discuss the properties, advantages, and potential drawbacks of each option.
