Row of three: gallery wall layout with sizes
Three matching portraits in a line: the classic above a sofa or bed. 3 prints, 53 in (135 cm) wide by 24 in (61 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $159.30 unframed with 10% off. Hang it with its centre 57 in (145 cm) from the floor, or its bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above furniture.
Hanger drop: measure from the top of the frame down to the hanger (on a sawtooth, to the middle of the teeth).
| # | Size | Nail from the floor | Nail from the left wall edge | Nail from the centre line | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunflowers (National Gallery, London) | 16 × 24 in | 65 in | 47½ in | 18½ in left |
| 2 | Cafe Terrace at Night | 16 × 24 in | 65 in | 66 in | on it |
| 3 | The Kiss | 16 × 24 in | 65 in | 84½ in | 18½ in right |
Every frame in this layout
| Column | Frames (top to bottom) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 × 24 in |
| 2 | 16 × 24 in |
| 3 | 16 × 24 in |
The rules and the formula
- Space frames 3 in (7.5 cm) apart in a row or set, and 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) apart in a gallery wall.
- Nail height = centre height + half the frame height − the hanger drop (the distance from the top of the frame to its hanger).
Worked examples
- 3 prints, 53 in (135 cm) wide by 24 in (61 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $159.30 unframed with 10% off.
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How far apart should three pictures be?
3 in (7.5 cm) between frames in a row of three.
What size for three frames above a sofa?
Three 16 × 24 in prints span 54 in with 3 in gaps: right for a 72 to 80 in sofa.
The reasoning behind these numbers: How to hang a gallery wall: spacing, height and layouts.
Sources
- Frameology, Gallery Wall Rules (2 to 3 inches between frames, measured edge to edge)
- PictureFrames.com, How to Group Pictures on a Wall (2 to 3 inches between frames)
Updated 2026-11-03. Free to use; no sign-up. To cite: Madten, “Row of three: gallery wall layout with sizes”, https://www.madten.com/tools/gallery-wall-layouts/row-of-3.