Picture hanging calculator
Enter the centre height, the frame height and how far the wire or hanger sits below the top of the frame. You get the nail height from the floor and, for a row of frames, the equal gap between them and where each one goes.
The picture
A row of frames
About the picture hanging calculator
Enter the centre height, the frame height and how far the wire or hanger sits below the top of the frame. You get the nail height from the floor and, for a row of frames, the equal gap between them and where each one goes.
Part of SmartCalcy’s home & construction tools. It runs in your browser with no account, uses your own currency and units (change them at the top of the page), and gives estimates for information only, so check official guidance before you rely on a result.
How to use the picture hanging calculator
What it calculates and when to use it
Tells you where to put the nail so a picture hangs at eye level, using the 57-inch (145 cm) gallery rule, and spaces a row of frames evenly across a wall.
How to use it, step by step
- Enter the centre height you want, or keep 145 cm (57 in).
- Enter the frame height and how far the wire or hanger sits below the top.
- For a row, enter the number of frames, their width and the wall width.
- Mark the nail height and each frame’s position.
What each input means
- Centre height – Starts at 145 cm.
- Frame height – Starts at 50 cm.
- Hanger drop – Top of frame to the taut wire. Starts at 5 cm.
- Frames, frame width, wall width – Starts at 3 frames of 40 cm on a 300 cm wall.
How to read the results
- Nail height – Measured from the floor.
- Equal gap – Between frames and at both ends.
- Positions – Centre of each frame from the left end.
The formula
Nail height = centre height + frame height ÷ 2 − hanger drop. Gap = (wall width − frames × frame width) ÷ (frames + 1).
A worked example
With the starting entries: 145 + 50 ÷ 2 − 5 = 165 cm. Three 40 cm frames on a 300 cm wall leave (300 − 120) ÷ 4 = 45 cm gaps, with centres at 65, 150 and 235 cm.
Assumptions and limits
- Eye level suits open walls; above furniture, hang relative to the furniture.
- Frames in a row are the same width.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the hanger drop with the wire slack.
- Hanging art too high, the most common mistake.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 57-inch rule?
Hang art so its centre is about 57 in (145 cm) from the floor, roughly average eye level.
How high above a sofa?
About 15–25 cm (6–10 in) above the back of the sofa.
How far apart should frames be?
Equal gaps look best; 5–10 cm (2–4 in) is common in a tight group.
Related tools
How it adds up
- Half the frame height
- 25 cm
- Hook above the centre
- 20 cm25 − 5 drop
- Nail height
- 165 cm145 + 20
Spacing 3 frames
- Equal gap
- 45 cmbetween frames and at both ends
| Frame | Centre from left | Nail from left |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 65 cm | 65 cm |
| 2 | 150 cm | 150 cm |
| 3 | 235 cm | 235 cm |