How to Attach and Hang Pictures with Wire

Installing D-rings and wire is a breeze with this guide

Written by David Julien | Edited by Devin McSween

Last Updated: January 23, 2024 Fact Checked

Hanging your artwork with wire is one of the best ways to keep it secure and straight on your wall. If you’re not sure how to wire your artwork’s frame, the great news is that it’s super easy to do. In this article, we’ll show you what hanging hardware to use, how to install the hardware and wire, and how to hang up your artwork. Read on to learn how!

This article is based on an interview with our DIY specialist, David Julien, principal owner at Nice DIY. Check out the full interview here.

1

Get D-rings and wire that support the weight of your artwork.

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Use D-ring hangers to wire and hang your artwork; these hangers are specifically constructed to hang small, medium, and large wooden frames. Then, select a metal wire with a break weight that's greater than the weight of your artwork.
- D-rings that have more than 1 screw hole typically hold up heavier frames.
- Use braided wire to hold up to 36 pounds (16 kg).
- Choose stainless steel wire to hold up to 100 pounds (45 kg).
- Select vinyl-coated wire to hold up to 60 pounds (27 kg).

2

Mark the D-ring points ⅓ of the way down from the frame’s top.

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Use your tape measure to find the length of the frame and divide the length by 3. Then, use your answer to measure down from the top of the frame and make a mark on the right and left sides of the frame.^{[1]
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- For example, if your frame is 21 inches (53.3 cm) long, make a mark for your D-rings 7 inches (17.8 cm) down from the top of the frame.
- Protect your artwork while you’re working by laying it face down on a sheet, towel, or other soft material.

3

Screw in the D-rings over the spots you marked.

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Place your D-rings flat side down on the marks you made with the rings facing inwards toward the center of the frame. Then, align the rings so they’re straight across from each other and ½ inch (1.3 cm) from the frame’s edges. Angle each ring upwards at a 45° angle and screw each piece into the frame with a screwdriver or drill.^{[2]
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- Make a pilot hole at the hardware points with a nail, awl, or drill before you screw the hardware in to make it easier.
- Most hardware sets come with screws.

4

Measure the wire and loop it up through the left D-ring.

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Use a measuring tape the find the width of your frame. Then, snip off a section of wire that’s double the frame’s width. Loop the wire up through the left ring and cross it under itself. Push about 3 to 4 inches (7.6-10 cm) of the wire up through the left D-ring. Then, wrap it over the ring and cross it under the wire.^{[3]
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5

Knot the wire and twist it above the left D-ring.

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Take the end of the wire and push it back down through the left D-ring to create a slip-knot. To secure the knot, twist the remaining wire around itself on top of the knot.^{[4]
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- Feel free to coil the entire remaining wire, or wrap it above the knot 4 to 5 times and then snip off the excess.

6

Adjust the wire’s tautness.

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Pull the other end of the wire over to the right D-ring and hold it taut. Then, use your finger to pull up on the wire in the middle of the frame to add slack to the wire. Just adjust the wire’s tautness until the wire rests 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the top of the frame.^{[5]
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- Adding slack to the wire eases the tension on the wire and rings. It also helps your artwork hang more level.

7

Knot the wire through the right D-ring.

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To secure the wire to the right D-ring, follow the same steps as the left D-ring. Just push the wire up through the right D-ring, wrap it over the ring, and cross it under itself. Then, pull the wire down through the ring and coil the excess wire over the knot.^{[6]
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8

Choose where you want to hang your artwork.

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Hold the frame up to the wall and decide where you want to hang it. When you find the spot, make a small mark on the wall at the top of the frame with a pencil.^{[7]
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Expert Source

David Julien
DIY Specialist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}

9

Find the distance from the top of the frame to the wire.

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Face the back of your frame and pull the center of the wire straight up so that the wire is tight. Then, use a tape measure to find the distance from the very top of the frame to the wire. This ensures that your artwork rests on the wall where you want it to.^{[8]
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Expert Source

David Julien
DIY Specialist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}

10

Use the measurement to mark and hammer in the hook.

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Take the distance you measured from the top of the frame to the wire and measure down from the spot you marked for the frame on the wall. Make a mark on the wall at this point.^{[9]
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Expert Source

David Julien
DIY Specialist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.} Then, hold your picture hook over the mark and use a hammer to insert it inside the wall.^{[10]
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- Use a picture hook that’s made to hold up the weight of your artwork.
- If the artwork is heavy, either nail the hook into a wall stud or place an anchor in the wall.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Julien
  DIY Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}

11

Level the artwork over the hook.

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Lift your artwork up to the wall and hang the wire over the picture hook. Then, simply slide your artwork to the left or right over the hook until it sits straight and level.^{[12]
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- Use a level to make sure your artwork is completely straight. Just put the level on top of the frame and adjust the artwork back and forth until the bubble is centered on the level.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I know where to put a nail for hanging artwork?

David Julien
DIY Specialist
David Julien is a DIY Specialist and the Principal Owner at Nice DIY based in Quebec, Canada. David specializes in creating plans to make unique, affordable, and modern home furnishings. He holds a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Quebec Outaouais. Nice DIY uses sustainable and high-quality materials to create products that are simple to make for everyone.

David Julien

DIY Specialist

Expert Answer

Hold the artwork by the wire and measure with a tape measure from the top of the frame to the tensioned wire. Place the artwork in the desired location and mark the wall at the top center of the frame. Mark where to place your nail by starting from the mark you made, then measuring down the length of the last measurement you took.

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