Do you have a picture frame sitting on the ground because you haven’t been able to hang it up?

Want to know how to hang a picture?

Well, over the years of me wanting to hang all the things on all the walls, I have learned a thing or two about how best to do it!

One of my favorite tricks is broken down in this post.

The Easiest Way To Hang A Picture With Two Hooks

This post may contain affiliate links.

Materials

Step One

Lay the picture frame with two hooks face down. Then take your Frog Tape and cut a piece the length of your picture frame.

Step Two

Secure the Frog Tape just under the hooks of the picture frame.

Step Three

Poke 2 separate holes in the Frog Tape where the hooks are.

Step Four

Take the Frog Tape and stick it to the wall where you want to hang the picture.

Step Five

Using the Bubble Level app, make sure the Frog Tape is level.

Step Six

Once level, make where the nails should go by creating a nail mark on the wall through the holes you made in the Frog Tape.

how to hang a picture with two hook picture hanging on the wall next to curtains and a television

Step Seven

Remove Frog Tape and hammer in nails into the wall.

Step Eight

Hang picture.

Looking For A Tool To Help?

I told you this was the easiest way to hang pictures with two hooks!!

Seriously, I use this method all the time. Now there are gadgets and things that you can use to hang pictures, but I still go back to this method because it works and it is fast.

My husband loves using the picture hanging tool but I have found that the indentations it makes aren’t the easiest to see and I can never get things straight.

Maybe it is because I am more of a visual person and need to see the full length of the picture before I hang it up!

But any way you hang, I just want you to feel like you can do things, like hang a picture on the wall!

1. How far apart should two picture hooks be?

Your two picture hooks should be spaced the exact same distance as the hanging hardware on the back of your frame.

The easiest way to figure this out is to measure from the center of one hook (or D-ring) to the center of the other. That measurement becomes the spacing you mark on the wall.

This ensures the picture hangs evenly and sits exactly where you want it—no guessing or re-hammering required.

2. How do you measure for two hooks?

Here’s the simplest method:

Measure the distance between the two hooks on the back of your frame.
Measure the distance from the top of the frame to the hook hardware.
Decide how high you want the top of the frame on the wall.
Subtract the “top of frame → hook hardware” measurement so your hooks land at the correct height.
Mark those two points on the wall, keeping them level across.

If you use a small piece of painter’s tape to transfer the spacing, it makes the whole process foolproof.

3. How do you hang a heavy picture with two hooks?

For heavy frames, two hooks are actually better because the weight is spread out evenly. Use this method:

Install two heavy-duty picture hooks rated for the weight of your frame.
Make sure the hooks are spaced according to the frame’s hardware (D-rings or keyholes).
Check that both hooks are level—this is key for heavy pieces.
Lift the frame so each D-ring sits securely onto each hook.

If your frame is extremely heavy, consider using wall anchors or placing the hooks into studs for extra support.

4. Why does my picture look crooked even with two hooks?

This is a super common frustration, and it usually happens for three reasons:

The hooks on the wall are level, but the hardware on the back of the frame isn’t.
One D-ring is slightly higher or tighter than the other.
The frame is bowed, warped, or has uneven weight distribution.

Quick fix: Measure the hardware on the frame itself to make sure both sides match. If they’re off, adjust one D-ring or add a felt bumper to balance it out.

5. Do you need wall anchors when using two hooks?

Not always.
If your picture is light to medium weight and you’re using traditional angled picture hooks, you typically don’t need wall anchors.

You should use anchors when:

The picture is very heavy
The drywall is old or crumbly
You’re hanging on plaster or paneling
You want extra stability

For most average frames, two standard picture hooks are plenty strong without anchors.

6. What’s the easiest way to make sure a picture is level?

Use one of these quick tricks:

Hold a small level on top of the frame as you hang it
Put a sticky note behind the frame and drag the frame lightly across it until the level shows centered
Add two felt bumpers to the bottom corners — they grip the wall and help prevent shifting

If you want the fastest method:
Install both hooks level and the frame will almost always hang level on the first try.

7. How high should you hang a picture?

The classic guideline is to hang art so the center is 57 inches from the floor, which is roughly eye level for most people.

For gallery walls or pieces above furniture:

Above a sofa: 6–8 inches above the back
Above a console table: 4–6 inches
In a hallway: stay consistent with the 57–60 inch center rule

When in doubt, go slightly lower rather than higher—it almost always looks better.

8. Should you use nails or hooks for hanging pictures?

For most frames, picture hooks are better than nails because:

They support more weight
They sit at an angle, which grips the wall better
They prevent the frame from shifting as easily

Use nails only for very light frames. Anything medium or heavy should go on proper picture hooks.

9. Why use two hooks instead of one?

Two hooks keep the picture:

Straighter
More stable
Less likely to swing
Less likely to tilt over time

Plus, they distribute weight more evenly across the wall, which is especially helpful for heavy or oversized frames.

how to hang a picture with two hooks overlay on living room with picture on wall next to curtains

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How to Hang a Picture with Two Hooks (Step-by-Step Guide)