In carpentry, diamonds can mark the spot for a stud

Today’s question: On my tape measure there is a little diamond shape at 19 3 ⁄8 inches. Then another diamond shape at about 38 58⁄ inches. I have done carpentry work and know when you frame a house you use 16 inches on center. What are the diamond-shaped markings?

I never noticed that before, but then there are a lot of things I never noticed.

For instance, the other day while discussing the use of the word “get” as a noun I opined it means a certain grouping of cows or horses.

What I failed to notice until a remarkable number of you pointed it out is a “get” can also be a provision in the divorce rulings in Orthodox Jewish law.

Which has nothing to do with today’s question.

Because I am so bad at numbers and dimensions I will answer with a quote from newwoodworker.com:

“If you divide the 8-foot space we have been using by five we get a spacing of 19.2 inches. The black diamonds on the tape measure represent that spacing. The first black diamond is at 19.2 inches” and after that black diamonds appear at 38.4, 57.6, 76.8, and 96 inches or 8 feet. That is one less stud for every 8 feet of wall, counting the beginning and end studs.

“While the black diamond spacing is nearly as weight-capable as 16-inch centers, building codes may not allow it in all situations. Also, the black diamond spacing does not place a stud at 48-inches so standard 8-foot sheets of plywood must be installed with the long dimension horizontal.”

I hope you understand that because I don’t.