Quick answer: Hang 4 pictures with the same 2–3 in (5–8 cm) gap between them, the group centered on the wall or furniture, and its center about 57–60 in (145–153 cm) from the floor. To spread them across a wall instead, divide the leftover width by 5: 4 frames 16 in wide on a 96 in wall get 6.4 in gaps.
How Far Apart to Hang 4 Pictures
For a group that reads as one piece, use the same gap between every frame: 2–3 in (5–8 cm) for small and medium frames, up to 4 in (10 cm) for large ones. Wider gaps make the frames look like separate pieces. Here's how wide a group of 4 ends up:
| Each frame’s width | With 2 in gaps | With 3 in gaps |
|---|---|---|
| 8 in (20 cm) | 38 in (97 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) |
| 12 in (30 cm) | 54 in (137 cm) | 57 in (145 cm) |
| 16 in (41 cm) | 70 in (178 cm) | 73 in (185 cm) |
| 18 in (46 cm) | 78 in (198 cm) | 81 in (206 cm) |
| 20 in (51 cm) | 86 in (218 cm) | 89 in (226 cm) |
| 24 in (61 cm) | 102 in (259 cm) | 105 in (267 cm) |
How to Space 4 Pictures Evenly Across a Wall
To spread 4 frames along a whole wall or hallway, with the same space at both ends as between the frames, take the frames' total width away from the wall width and divide by 5:
Gap = (wall width − total frame width) ÷ 5
| Wall width | 12 in frames | 16 in frames | 20 in frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 in (6 ft, 183 cm) | 4.8 in (12 cm) | Too tight | Too tight |
| 96 in (8 ft, 244 cm) | 9.6 in (24 cm) | 6.4 in (16 cm) | 3.2 in (8 cm) |
| 120 in (10 ft, 305 cm) | 14.4 in (37 cm) | 11.2 in (28 cm) | 8.0 in (20 cm) |
| 144 in (12 ft, 366 cm) | 19.2 in (49 cm) | 16.0 in (41 cm) | 12.8 in (33 cm) |
Want equal gaps between the frames only, with the ends set by something else (a sofa, a doorway)? Divide by 3 instead of 5, using the width you want the group to fill.
How High to Hang 4 Pictures
Treat the group as one piece. On an open wall, put the center of the whole group at 57–60 in (145–153 cm) from the floor; in a single row that's the center of every frame. Over a sofa, console or bed, the furniture sets the height instead: leave 6–10 in (15–25 cm) between it and the bottom of the frames, and keep the group to about two-thirds to three-quarters of the furniture's width (see art above an 84-inch couch and art above a queen bed).
For each frame, the nail goes at its center height, plus half the frame's height, minus the hook drop.
Ways to Arrange 4 Pictures
Four frames work as a row or a 2×2 grid. With an even number, the center line falls in the gap between the two middle frames, not on a frame, so measure from the middle of that gap.
- A row of four: needs a long wall or a wide sofa. Equal frames and equal gaps; the center line falls in the middle gap.
- A 2×2 grid: the tidiest layout for four matching frames. Use the same gap across and down.
- One large and three small: a large frame with three small ones stacked beside it, the stack the same height as the large frame.
Mixing sizes? Plan it with the gallery wall layout calculator, which gives the nail spot for every frame.
Worked Example: Nail Positions for 4 Frames
4 frames, each 16 × 20 in (portrait), hung 3 in apart in a row with the group centered at 60 in. The wire on each pulls up to 3 in below the top of the frame. The group is 73 in (185 cm) wide, and every nail goes at 60 + 10 − 3 = 67 in.
| Frame | Side to side | Nail height |
|---|---|---|
| Frame 1 | 28.5 in left of center | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Frame 2 | 9.5 in left of center | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Frame 3 | 9.5 in right of center | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Frame 4 | 28.5 in right of center | 67 in (170 cm) |
As a 2×2 grid
The same four 16 × 20 in frames in a grid with 3 in gaps make a block 35 × 43 in. With the block centered at 60 in, the top-row nails go at 78.5 in and the bottom-row nails at 55.5 in from the floor, each 9.5 in left or right of the center line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should 4 pictures be?
For a tight group, 2–3 in (5–8 cm) between frames. To spread them across a wall, gap = (wall width − total frame width) ÷ 5: 4 frames 16 in wide on a 96 in wall get 6.4 in gaps.
How do you hang 4 pictures evenly?
Decide the gap, find the center line of the wall or furniture, then measure out from it: each frame's center is one frame width plus one gap from its neighbor. Mark every nail at the same height and check the marks with a level before drilling.
How high should 4 pictures be hung?
With the center of the group 57–60 in (145–153 cm) from the floor on an open wall, or with the bottoms 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above a sofa, console or bed.
How wide should 4 pictures be over a couch?
About two-thirds to three-quarters of the couch width, gaps included. Over an 84 in couch that's 56–63 in; 4 frames 16 in wide with 3 in gaps make 73 in.
Should 4 pictures be in a row or a grid?
A row suits a long, low space like the wall above a sofa or sideboard. A 2×2 grid suits a squarer space and keeps a tight, tidy shape. Use the same gap across and down in a grid.
Space Your 4 Pictures Exactly
Enter your wall and frame sizes for equal gaps and the nail position of every frame, in a row or a grid.
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