Picture Frame Hanging Calculator (Nail Height)

This calculator tells you where to put the nail or hook for a picture. Enter the height you want the centre of the picture at (57 inches is a common gallery standard), the frame height and the distance from the top of the frame down to the hanging wire pulled taut; you get the nail height above the floor.

Formula

Nail height = centre height + frame height ÷ 2 − wire drop.

• c: where the centre of the picture should be
• h: outside height of the frame
• d: pull the wire up tight towards the top of the frame, then measure from the top edge to the wire

Worked Example

A 24 in tall frame, centred at 57 in, wire 3 in below the top when pulled tight.

1. Top of the frame sits at 57 + 24 ÷ 2 = 69 in
2. Nail height = 69 − 3 = 66.00 in
3. In centimetres: 66 × 2.54 = 167.6 cm

How to read the result

Mark the nail height on the wall, then mark the horizontal centre of the space. For a sawtooth or D-ring hanger, use the distance from the top of the frame to the hanger as d. With two hooks, set both at this height and space them evenly either side of the centre.

Limits and common mistakes

• Above furniture, hang the bottom of the frame about 6-10 in above the furniture instead of using 57 in.
• Measure d with the wire pulled taut, not slack.
• Use a wall anchor rated for the weight of the frame; this page does not size fixings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why 57 inches?

It is roughly average eye level and a common gallery standard for the centre of a picture.

How high to hang a 36 inch picture?

With a 4 in wire drop: 57 + 18 − 4 = 71 in for the nail.

What if my picture has two D-rings?

Use the distance from the top of the frame to the rings as d and set two hooks at the result.

Does this work in centimetres?

Enter all three values in the same unit; the formula works for any unit.

in c | Centre of picture above floor | in | 57 | 0 | 200
in h | Frame height | in | 24 | 0 | 200
in d | Top of frame to taut wire | in | 3 | 0 | 100
out nail | Nail height above floor | in | c + h / 2 - d | 2
out cm | Nail height above floor | cm | nail * 2.54 | 1