Frequently Asked Questions

You'll need the following measurements:

• Wall dimensions - Width and height of your wall (for the visual diagram)
• Frame dimensions - Width and height of your framed artwork
• Hook drop - Distance from the top of the frame to where the wire catches the hook
• Reference height - How high you want the centre of your artwork (typically eye level at 1530mm)

The calculator supports three units of measurement:

• Millimetres (mm) - Default, most precise
• Centimetres (cm) - Common for metric users
• Inches (in) - For imperial measurements

Switch between units using the toggle at the top of the calculator. Your preference is saved automatically.

Single Frame: For hanging one piece of artwork. You specify where you want the centre of the frame positioned.

Row: For hanging multiple identical frames in a horizontal line. Great for hallways or above furniture.

Grid: For hanging frames in rows and columns. Perfect for gallery walls with uniform frames.

Yes! Click the "Save" button to store your current calculation locally in your browser. You can save multiple calculations and load them later using the "Load" button. Saved calculations persist even after closing your browser.

Hook drop is the vertical distance from the top edge of your frame to the point where the hanging wire (or other hardware) makes contact with the wall hook. This measurement is crucial because it determines where the hook needs to be placed relative to where you want the frame to hang.

Read our complete Hook Drop Guide

To measure hook drop:

• Lay the frame face-down on a flat surface
• Hook a pencil or ruler under the wire at its centre
• Pull the wire upward gently until it's taut (simulating how it will hang)
• Measure from the top of the frame to where the pencil contacts the wire

Don't pull too tight - just enough tension to represent how the frame will naturally hang.

It varies by frame size and hardware type:

• Small frames (under 30cm): 5-20mm
• Medium frames (30-60cm): 20-50mm
• Large frames (60cm+): 40-80mm

Always measure your specific frame rather than estimating - even small errors become noticeable.

For D-rings without wire, measure from the top of the frame to the centre of the D-ring hole (where the hook will catch). This is typically 15-30mm. If your frame has two D-rings meant for two hooks, you'll need to use two hooks spaced according to the D-ring positions.

1530mm (about 60 inches) is the approximate standing eye level for an average adult. Museums and galleries worldwide use heights between 1450-1550mm as the standard for hanging artwork. This puts the centre of the artwork at a comfortable viewing height for most people.

Feel free to adjust this based on your space - lower for rooms where people sit (living rooms), higher for standing areas (hallways).

Standard spacing recommendations:

• Grid layouts: 50-75mm (2-3 inches) uniform spacing
• Salon style: 40-60mm (1.5-2.5 inches) minimum
• Large frames: 75-100mm (3-4 inches) between pieces

The key is consistency - whatever spacing you choose, keep it uniform throughout.

Leave 150-250mm (6-10 inches) between the top of the sofa and the bottom of the frame. The artwork should also be about 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the sofa to look proportional.

Read our guide on hanging above furniture

One hook: Fine for small to medium frames (under 60cm wide) with wire hanging. Allows for easy leveling by sliding the wire.

Two hooks: Recommended for large or heavy frames, valuable artwork, or frames wider than 60cm. Provides more stability and distributes weight. Use the calculator's hook count option to get proper spacing.

Common causes:

• Incorrect hook drop: Re-measure with the wire properly tensioned
• Measuring from the wrong point: Measure to where the wire actually contacts the hook, not the D-ring
• Wire stretched: Heavier frames may stretch the wire slightly after hanging
• Wrong reference point: Ensure you measured from the floor, not from a piece of furniture

Solutions for crooked frames:

• Adhesive bumpers: Add small rubber or felt bumpers to the bottom corners of the frame
• Two hooks: Use two hooks instead of one for more stability
• Tighten the wire: A tighter wire has less play and stays more level
• Wall anchor: The hook may be in a soft spot - try a proper wall anchor

Double-check these common issues:

• Units mismatch: Make sure all your measurements are in the same unit
• Reference height misunderstanding: The reference height is where the centre of your frame will be, not the top
• Hook drop direction: Hook drop is measured from the frame's top edge down to the wire contact point