Gallery wall planner: lay it out, then mark every nail
Space gallery-wall frames 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) apart, measured frame edge to frame edge, and treat the whole group as one picture: centre it 57 in (145 cm) from the floor, or 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the furniture below it.
Choose a layout, swap in any print we sell, and the planner draws the wall to scale and lists every nail: height from the floor, distance from the left edge of the wall and from the centre line. Copy the link to come back to it, or print the nail plan.
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 |
The layouts, measured
| Layout | What it is | Size and price |
|---|---|---|
| Row of three | 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. |
| Grid of four | Two over two, equal sizes, equal gaps: calm and architectural. | 4 prints, 26½ in (67 cm) wide by 38½ in (98 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $140.40 unframed with 10% off. |
| Grid of six | Three across, two down: a strong block for a long wall. | 6 prints, 41 in (104 cm) wide by 38½ in (98 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $210.60 unframed with 10% off. |
| Grid of nine | Three by three small prints: the museum study-wall look. | 9 prints, 41 in (104 cm) wide by 53 in (135 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $315.90 unframed with 10% off. |
| Symmetrical five | 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. |
| Salon wall of six | Mixed sizes and shapes in one tight cluster, heavier in the middle. | 6 prints, 55 in (140 cm) wide by 38½ in (98 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $228.60 unframed with 10% off. |
| Staircase | Five prints climbing with the stairs, each one a step higher. | 5 prints, 78 in (198 cm) wide by 62¼ in (158 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $211.50 unframed with 10% off. |
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.
- The group is one picture: its centre at 57 in (145 cm), or its bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above the furniture.
- Nail height = centre height + half the frame height − the hanger drop (the distance from the top of the frame to its hanger).
- Lay the frames out on the floor first, or tape paper templates to the wall, before the first nail.
Worked examples
- Row of three: 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.
- Grid of four: 4 prints, 26½ in (67 cm) wide by 38½ in (98 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $140.40 unframed with 10% off.
- Grid of six: 6 prints, 41 in (104 cm) wide by 38½ in (98 cm) tall at 2½ in (6.5 cm) gaps; $210.60 unframed with 10% off.
Art that fits this wall
Questions
How far apart should frames be in a gallery wall?
2–3 in (5–7.5 cm), measured from the edge of one frame to the edge of the next. Keep the gap the same everywhere; it is what makes mixed sizes look planned.
How high should a gallery wall hang?
Treat the group as one picture: its centre 57 in (145 cm) from the floor, or its bottom edge 6–10 in (15–25 cm) above a sofa or sideboard.
How do I hang a gallery wall evenly?
Hang the largest or central piece first, then work outward using the nail positions from the planner, measured from the same centre line and the floor.
Do the frames need to match?
No, but matching frames make a mixed set of pictures read as one wall. A mix of black and dark wood works if you repeat each at least twice.
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)
- Fine Art America, How High to Hang Art Above a Sofa (two-thirds of the sofa's width; 6 to 10 inches of clear wall; centre at 57 to 60 inches)
- Gelato, Do frames come with a hanging kit? (sawtooth hangers on the back; hook on 60×80 cm and larger)
Updated 2026-11-03. Free to use; no sign-up. To cite: Madten, “Gallery wall planner: lay it out, then mark every nail”, https://www.madten.com/tools/gallery-wall-planner.