What is a story pole used to check in framing?

• A. Height of horizontal framing members.
• B. Width of windows.
• C. Depth of foundation.
• D. Length of diagonal bracing.

Answer: (A)

A story pole is a long, marked stick used on a framing job to transfer vertical measurements from the floor up the wall. It’s used to check the height of horizontal framing members, like top plates and headers, to ensure they sit at the correct elevation along the entire wall. By marking the target heights on the pole, you can quickly compare the actual framing as you build and keep openings for windows and doors aligned and the wall height consistent. It’s a handy way to reproduce the same heights across different walls without constantly re-measuring with a tape. It isn’t used for measuring window widths, foundation depth, or diagonal bracing length.