Picture Hanging Calculator
Enter the wall's width, the frames' size, the hanger drop and the height you want the frame centers at, and get equal gaps and the nail position of every frame, from the left end and up from the floor.
Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.
Example: three frames on a wall
3 hangers
- Gap at both ends and between frames 15 in
- First nail, from the left end 25 in
- Nail height above the floor 66 in
Estimate for planning, from what you entered and the product data shown. Check product labels and your supplier before you buy.
Your project
Enter a size to see your total.
Each product is rounded up once for the whole project, so the total can be less than the items bought alone added together. A line counted from a cut layout (sheets, boards or tiles laid out piece by piece) is counted for each item and added.
Gaps and nail positions
These numbers follow the sizes above for every item in the list. All frames in a row are the same size.
Shopping list
| Item | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Hangers, one for each frame | hangers | 3 |
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Worked example: three frames on a wall
Show the working
- Width the frames take 3 frames × 20 in = 60 in
- Gap: the wall left over, shared by one more gap than frames 60 in ÷ 4 gaps = 15 in
- Nail height: the center height plus half the frame, less the drop 57 in + 12 in − 3 in = 66 in
Assumptions
The figures behind the example. Sourced figures link to their source below; a default is a starting value to check against your label or supplier.
| Assumption | Value | Details and changes |
|---|---|---|
| Height of the picture centre above the floor | 57 in | |
| Default Common convention; change it. Check your label or supplier. | ||
Feet and inches, like 12' 6"
Nail height by frame height
Nail height above the floor for six frame heights at two center heights and two hanger drops
| Frame height | Center 57 in, drop 2 in | Center 57 in, drop 3 in | Center 60 in, drop 2 in | Center 60 in, drop 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 61 in | 60 in | 64 in | 63 in |
| 16 in | 63 in | 62 in | 66 in | 65 in |
| 20 in | 65 in | 64 in | 68 in | 67 in |
| 24 in | 67 in | 66 in | 70 in | 69 in |
| 30 in | 70 in | 69 in | 73 in | 72 in |
| 36 in | 73 in | 72 in | 76 in | 75 in |
Nail height is the center height plus half the frame height, less the drop. The center heights are conventions you can change.
Questions
What is the 57 inch rule for hanging pictures?
It is a common convention for the height of a picture's center above the floor, so the calculator starts from it. It is not a requirement: change the height to suit your wall and your eye level.
How do I hang three pictures evenly?
Take the frame widths off the wall width and share what is left between one more gap than frames. The example above is three frames; the table lists every nail position.
How do I find the nail height?
Add the center height to half the frame's height, then take off the hanger drop, the distance from the top of the frame down to where the hanger sits.