Symmetrical five: gallery wall layout with sizes
One large centrepiece flanked by two small pairs. 5 prints, 53 in (135 cm) wide by 34½ in (88 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $211.50 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) | 12 × 16 in | 75½ in | 45½ in | 20½ in left |
| 2 | Lady with an Ermine | 12 × 16 in | 57 in | 45½ in | 20½ in left |
| 3 | The Arnolfini Portrait | 24 × 32 in | 74¼ in | 66 in | on it |
| 4 | Interior, Sunlight on the Floor | 12 × 16 in | 75½ in | 86½ in | 20½ in right |
| 5 | Wanderer above the Sea of Fog | 12 × 16 in | 57 in | 86½ in | 20½ in right |
Every frame in this layout
| Column | Frames (top to bottom) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 × 16 in over 12 × 16 in |
| 2 | 24 × 32 in |
| 3 | 12 × 16 in over 12 × 16 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
- 5 prints, 53 in (135 cm) wide by 34½ in (88 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $211.50 unframed with 10% off.
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How do I balance a large print with small ones?
Put the large print in the centre and stack two small prints on each side so the stacks match its height.
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, “Symmetrical five: gallery wall layout with sizes”, https://www.madten.com/tools/gallery-wall-layouts/symmetrical-5.