Gallery wall calculator: nail height and spacing
Updated 2026-10-24
Two quick calculators: where the nail goes for one frame, and how big the gaps should be for a row of frames. Works in inches or centimetres.
1. Nail height for a frame
For two D-rings, put two nails at this height, the ring spacing apart, centred on the frame.
2. Even gaps for a row of frames
Above a sofa, aim for the row to fill about two thirds of the sofa width.
How the maths works
Open wall: nail height = centre height + half the frame height − hanger drop.
Above furniture: nail height = furniture top + gap + frame height − hanger drop.
Gaps: gap = (row width − sum of frame widths) ÷ (number of frames − 1).
For a whole arrangement, treat the group like one big frame first (see how high to hang a gallery wall), then work out each frame from the top of the group.
Frequently asked questions
What is hanger drop?
The distance from the top edge of the frame down to the point the nail holds: the taut wire, the top of a D-ring, or the notch of a sawtooth hanger.
What gap should I leave between frames?
Most designers use 2–3 inches (5–8 cm). Smaller frames suit the low end, big frames the high end. Keeping the gap the same everywhere matters more than the exact number.