Calculate the number of receptacles needed along a wall to meet code spacing requirements.
NEC quick reference
Usage Tip
Any wall section 2 feet or wider generally needs its own receptacle; count short walls separately.
Residential walls allow up to 12 feet; kitchen counters need one every 4 feet.
How many outlets does a wall need?
The answer comes from one NEC rule that surprises people: no point along the floor line of a wall may be more than 6 feet from a receptacle. Put another way, outlets can be no more than 12 feet apart, and the first one must be within 6 feet of any corner or doorway. The idea is that a lamp or appliance with a standard 6-foot cord can reach an outlet from anywhere along the wall — no extension cords draped across the floor like decorative trip hazards. This calculator turns a wall length into the required outlet count, the exact placement, and a pass/fail against code.
NEC quick reference
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residential wall | No point more than 6 ft from an outlet |
| Maximum spacing | 12 ft between outlets |
| Wall section | Any wall 2 ft or wider needs an outlet |
| Corner / doorway | First outlet within 6 ft |
| Hallway | Over 10 ft long requires an outlet |
| Kitchen counter | No point over 2 ft from an outlet; max 4 ft apart |
The 6-foot rule explained
Imagine walking along a wall with a 6-foot extension of arm. From any spot, a receptacle should be within reach — six feet to the left or right. Because each outlet reaches 6 ft in both directions, two of them can sit 12 ft apart and still leave no gap. That is the whole rule: 6 ft of reach, 12 ft of spacing. It applies to every wall section 2 ft or wider, and the count resets at each doorway because a doorway breaks the wall into separate sections.
Common room examples
| Room | Typical outlets |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | 4 to 6 |
| Living room | 6 to 10 |
| Office | 6 to 8 |
| Garage | 4 to 8 |
| Workshop | 8 or more along benches |
Garage and workshop outlets
Shops break the usual rule because the loads are bigger and you want power at every bench. A common approach is a receptacle every 4 feet along a workbench wall, on dedicated 20-amp circuits so a saw and a vacuum can run together. The NEC minimum for a garage is at least one receptacle, but that is a floor, not a target — nobody wants to share one outlet between a charger, a compressor and a shop light. Garage and outdoor receptacles must be GFCI protected.
Outlet types
- Standard duplex — the everyday two-socket receptacle for general rooms.
- GFCI — required near water: kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, outdoors.
- AFCI protected — required for most living areas (bedrooms, living rooms) to prevent arc-fault fires; usually via the breaker.
- USB outlet — a convenience upgrade with built-in USB ports for phones and tablets.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should outlets be?
No more than 12 ft apart, so no point on the wall is more than 6 ft from one.
What is the 6-foot rule for outlets?
No point along a wall may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle, which means outlets every 12 ft and within 6 ft of each doorway.
How many outlets on a 20 ft wall?
Typically three for an even layout — near each end and one in the middle — which keeps every point within 6 ft.
Does a doorway count in outlet spacing?
Yes. A doorway breaks the wall into separate sections, and each section 2 ft or wider needs its own coverage.
How many outlets per circuit?
Code does not set a hard number for homes, but a common rule of thumb is up to about 8 to 10 receptacles on a 15 or 20 amp circuit.
Do garage outlets need GFCI?
Yes. Garage, basement, kitchen, bathroom and outdoor receptacles require GFCI protection.
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Estimates apply the NEC 210.52 dwelling-unit spacing rule for planning and education. Real layouts depend on doorways, windows, fixed appliances, counter rules and local amendments, and commercial spaces follow different requirements based on occupancy. Confirm with your local code and have work permitted and inspected. When in doubt, ask a licensed electrician.