An electrical utility box locator (11) is provided for convenient and accurate location of electrical utility boxes on the studs of a framed-in wall. The locator has a paddle shaped body (12) with a bottom portion (13) that rests against the floor and against a sole plate of the framed-in wall. The side of the paddle rests against a vertical stud extending upwardly from the sole plate. A recess is formed in the middle section (15) intermediate the top and bottom sections (13 and 14) of the body for receiving the front rim of a utility box to be affixed to the stud. The depth of the recess corresponds to the distance that the forward edge of the utility box is to protrude outwardly from the side of the stud to which it is attached. In use, the locator of this invention is positioned with its bottom portion resting on the floor and against a sole plate, its side resting against a vertical stud, and the side of a utility box in the recess also resting against the stud. The nails of the utility box are then driven into the stud and the locator removed so that the utility box is left properly positioned on the stud.