help and notes
Input what you need to, choose the results you want
There are many ways to install pictures depending on fastening methods available, personal preferences, tools and equipment. Hangcalc can help in various scenarios and for different personal methods or processes. Everything can be done with a pencil, tape measure and spirit level (ideally one with a measurement scale on it).
Required work measurements
The main calculator is for horizontal row layouts. Use solo to install works one by one in any position. Use horiz to calculate horizontal spacings and for vertical groups use vert. To complete a calculator generally three or four measurements may be needed for each artwork:
vertical:
1) outer vertical height
2) drop to fasteners (if fastener outside frame use negative number)horizontal:
1) outer horizontal width
2) inside adjustment to fasteners (if using more than one)
Basic approaches to installing a work
Often works are placed by personal preference, with a "yes, it feels right just there". There are two simple ways to determine fastener positions:
Mark a corner and measure from there
- hold a work against the wall where you want it to be and using a pencil mark the wall where a corner is (top or lower edge). Measure how high that corner mark is
- complete "solo" calculator using the corner height as the "reference height" then read out vertical result, ie. select top edge or "lower edge at reference" (depending on which corner). Measure vertically up or down from the corner to "height of fastener(s)" and make a mark
- with "to previous edge" being zero (default) read horizontal results and measure horizontally from that fastener height mark to the center. Place fastener or locate hook if using hanging system.
- if using two fasteners, read results for 1st and 2nd fasteners and measure horizontally from fastener height mark.
Mark a vertical centerline and measure from there
- decide where you want the work's centerline to be, eg. half way between two points or to one side (maybe using golden ratio ("length/phi") and using a pencil mark the wall where the centerline will be
- hold the work against the wall roughly on the centerline and mark the height of the top or lower edge. Measure how high that mark is
- complete "solo" calculator fields using the marked height as the "reference height" then read out fastener height result, ie. for "top edge at reference" or lower edge (depending on which edge). Measure vertically up or down through the centerline mark to fastener height and mark that point. Place fastener or locate hook if using hanging system.
- if using two fasteners, measure horizontally from that point to the "distance from centerline to fasteners".
Plan key measurements
Planning key measurements means there is no need to hold works up against a wall.
You can pre-plan the "reference height ie. top, mid-line or lower edge. For example, decide a "reference height" beforehand if you want/need a particular height. This might be to avoid objects or meet specifications for a work or group. As a guide a work's center point (mid-line alignment height) is generally suggested to be around the "average" eye-line, that is: 57-60 inches or 1450-1500 mm high. Also, the mid-line of the whole wall is sometimes suggested as the best mid-line for a work. Higher or lower is just fine depending on circumstances.
Pre-plan horizontal spacing like "to previous edge" measurement. For example, decide a "first/end space" and/or "inter-work" horizontal spacings beforehand if you want/need specific spacing. This might be for aesthetic reasons or to meet specifications for a group. Horizontal and/or vertical spacing between works in a group are suggested as 3 inches or 80 mm, but wider to expansive layouts - it is up to you.
For groups it is often useful to lay them out in front of the wall on the floor; and then arrange and rearrange until the group feels right. For example, so that no one piece dominates and there is an appealing distribution of content, colors and tones etc. and good distances between works. After that, do a sketch on paper with key parameters, like target heights, centerlines, inter-work and end spaces. These key points and can be marked on the using a pencil mark or small amount of long release time painter's tape.
You can also gather work details in advance (eg. using one of the PDF templates provided below) and the whole group layout can be planned on paper, including each work's height, width and fastener location(s). The calculators also allow an additional adjustment for a previous work's first and second fasteners so you can measure from fastener to fastener. Calculated fastener locations can then be marked on the wall.
Choose the best calculator for your needs, and just complete inputs you need, eg. for horizontal or for vertical measurements; or both, and then choose the results you want for your layout.
Have fun!
- horizontal layouts
use horiz or main form
step 1: decide overall setup
- decide overall wall setup, to make notes to document layout parameters: width of wall or section(s) of wall; number of works on the wall or section; height of horizontal alignment or reference height like mid-line (eyeline, eg. 57" or 1450 mm), top edges or lower edges aligned. These can be marked, eg. with pencil or painter's tape.
step 2: determine horizontal spacing
determine horizontal spacing in step 2. The widths of all works (ie. work positions) need to be entered. If your installation will include multiple frames vertically in a single work position use the width of the widest work as that work position's horizontal width. Use vert button for the vertical group
for your specified wall section results show measurements for symmetrical layouts. When setting inter-work or group spacing the balance of first plus end spaces is also shown. This can be used if an symmetric off-center group position is desired.
first, including first/end spaces: 1) an even spacing distance which includes first/end spaces as well as inter-work spaces; and 2) calculated even first and end spaces with a specified inter-work distance; or 3) calculated even inter-work space with specified first / end distance
second group, not including first/end spaces. This is useful as sometimes a group of works can be considered like a single work in the overall layout: calculation 4) ignores section width to determine the width of the group of works specified in steps 1 and 2 using a set inter-work space and zero first/end width. Calculation 5) allows a target group width to be set and required inter-work space is shown
the calculator also includes results for a option to measure from work center to work center for even spaced layouts. This will allow for rapid marking or work centers. When first/end space is zero the distance shown in from the first work's own edge. This may be useful if working with a group not including ends.
step 3: install works
use step 3 individual work calculations: at the set alignment or reference height, for each work to obtain both vertical and horizontal hanging measurements (or the vert button for a vertical group position). Input all information required
include your set first / end space or calculated even inter-work space with set first / end space, or use any arbitrary spacing you desire (eg. if uneven or specified spacing is required)
drop to fastener will be either: distance from frame top to taught hanging wire, or to inside top of fixed fastening points such as D-rings where the hook will sit (if height of two fasteners is uneven just do two drop calculations). It might also be the stretcher width if simply hanging on nails or screws. Drop to fastener can be a negative number, eg. if using pins in cloth tape, chains or exposed wires etc.
inside adjustment is either to D-ring centers or some set distance if hanging on nails, screws, or other fasteners like pins
finally expand the appropriate table tab for the alignment method chosen to see the correct results. For each work repeat data entry in step 3. Note that one section of wall may use more than one alignment method, e.g. if you want two rows of works with one top aligned and the other lower aligned. If so, I recommend calculating rows in separate operations using the pdf template to record relevant measurements
install each work one by one according to the calculated measurements; ensure each work is horizontal with a level before proceeding
- vertical groups
use vert button
a pop-up lightbox form provides results for a single vertical group where works in a section are either centered or edge aligned
both vertical and horizontal measurements are given. Only enter inputs for as many works as required up to a maximum of six.
centers aligned
for center aligned groups a group section width needs to be set distance to establish a centerline. This may be arbitrarily set, or if the group is part of a larger array, may be the width of the widest work plus twice the set inter-work space
vertical heights for the top of the works and/or their fasteners are calculated and this method places fasteners horizontally relative to the centerline
inputs (in red) and results (in blue) for both vertical and horizontal measurements are shown in the diagrams below
edges aligned
for these calculations the group's vertical edges are to be aligned to the left or right. The alignment can be the edges of the works or at a set the distance from the previous (or next) work's edge. The edge to center and to 1st fastener results will include this additional distance if entered into the optional input
vertical heights for the top of the works and/or their fasteners are calculated and this method places fasteners horizontally relative to the desired edge.
If there are multiple vertical groups whose height must be matched, then vertical inter-work space should be adjusted so each group has the same height. To match multiple groups to a target height, first determine the overall group height for the tallest group with its minimum/set even vertical space. This will set the target height. Then for the remaining vertical groups enter their data and determine a new even vertical space. Finally, adjust the even vertical space to update that group's results
note that entries in the lightbox forms will remain until cleared so you can move back and forth between the lightbox and the other forms on a page
- individual solo works
use solo button
a pop-up lightbox form asks for all the inputs you need and provides all the results required to install a single work (you can also use the main form)
enter work details data into the inputs section, ie. outer width, outer height, drop to fastener, and inside adjustment if using more that one fastener that will be in a fixed position such as D-rings
vertical
decide on the work's vertical position. This can be done by placing the work on the wall and marking a key position (with pencil or painter'stape), ie. a corner at the top edge or lower edge, or a centerline.
alternatively, a decision can be made that the work should be at a particular height. For example, mid-line at 1450mm, or top edge or lower edge at a specified height. This could be a height or place on the wall set using a golden ratio calculation. Input this vertical reference height
results are shown for three vertical height options ie. chosen reference height at top edge, mid-line or lower edge
horizontal
then optionally decide a relative horizontal position. If no horizontal position input is used the horizontal result measurements will show the results for the work's own outer width
option a) 'to previous edge' is to measure fastener positions from a previous work or wall edge
option b) 'to previous fastener' an additional previous work inside adjustment can be added. This is useful if you want to place fasteners before installing the works. Using option b) place a level (with a measure scale) with one end rested at zero under the previous work's fastener, then the horizontal distance to the first or center fastener can be marked quickly
a solo work's centerline can also be used to place one or two fasteners. For two fasteners the distance from the centerline to fasteners is provided in the results table
step 2: install works
starting at one side, install works one at a time repeating the process for each work. Ensure each work is horizontal with a level before proceeding
If using the option to measure from a previous work's fastener do that before installing the previous work
note that entries in the lightbox forms will remain until cleared so you can move back and forth between the lightbox and the other forms on a page.
- calculator
- use buttons like a calculator, or math expressions can be entered directly into the result area by clicking/tapping it and using a keyboard, then when ready press blue " = " button
- order of operations:
- parentheses
- exponents
- multiplication and division
- addition and subtraction
- same precedence (like * and /) are computed from left to right
- usage examples include:
- do basic picture hanging calculations such as: "alignment_height+(picture_height/2)-drop_to_fastener" for mid-line alignment height
- find the longer "golden ratio" length, eg. to locate a mid-point for an off-center work or group in a wall section, enter: "length/phi" for any height or width
- determine the location on a floor at 90° from a wall point, calculate the hypotenuse side of a right angle triangle enter "sqrt(first^2+second^2)" a closing parenthesis needs to be added;
- conversions for hardware, wires etc. use "to", eg. convert feet/inches to mm enter "#inch to mm" or "#feet +#inch to mm", or "#kg to lb"
- PDF templates
- PDF template for hardcopy or as a background in your notes app so you can plan ahead. Use in split screen to scribble measurements. Download button in viewer top bar
- PDF template to collect artwork dimensions and measurements in preparation for using hangcalc. Download button in viewer top bar
- app information
this is a progressive web app using javascript for calculations. Install it using your web browser, e.g. in Chrome-based browsers use "Add to Home" or "install app" and in iOS "Add to Home Screen"
use AC button to clear inputs, exiting page or app will also clear all data
The software is provided as is, without warranty of any kind, express or implied. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages or other liability.
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Notes:
1. inputs
work details
work width =
work height =
drop to fastener =
inside adjust =
vertical
reference height =
horizontal
option to previous edge =
added previous inside adjust =
2. vertical results
a) mid-line at ref height
fastener height =
top edge height =
lower edge height =
b) top edge at ref height
fastener height =
mid-line height =
lower edge height =
c) lower edge at ref height
fastener height =
top edge height =
mid-line height =
3. horizontal results
to previous edge
previous work/edge to center =
if 2 fasteners, previous work/edge to 1st fastener =
distance from 1st to 2nd fastener =
and, distance from centerline to fasteners =
to previous fastener
previous work's fastener to center =
previous work's fastener to 1st fastener =