There's nothing more frustrating than a picture frame that looks straight when you hang it, then clearly isn't once you step back. Getting it right the first time saves you from filling extra holes and repainting. The key is checking the level before you drill, not just after.
This guide walks you through the process using your smartphone as a spirit level — no extra tools needed beyond a pencil, a ruler, and your phone.
What you'll need
A pencil, a tape measure or ruler, a nail or picture hook, a hammer, and your phone with Spirit Level Online open in the browser.
Step-by-step instructions
Find the right position on the wall. Hold the frame up where you want it and mark the top centre lightly with a pencil. This gives you a reference point before anything else.
Measure the hanging hardware. Turn the frame over and measure the distance from the top of the frame down to the wire or hook. This tells you exactly how far below your pencil mark the nail needs to go.
Mark the nail position. From your centre mark, measure down the correct distance and make a second pencil mark. This is where you'll hammer the nail.
Check the wall is vertical before drilling. Hold your phone flat against the wall surface in Wall Mode on Spirit Level Online. If the wall itself leans slightly — common in older buildings — you can adjust your expectations for what "straight" will look like.
Hammer the nail and hang the frame. Drive the nail at a slight upward angle (about 45°) so it holds the weight securely. Hang the frame.
Verify the frame with Wall Mode. Open Spirit Level Online on your phone, switch to Wall Mode, and hold your phone against the side edge of the frame. The bubble should sit at centre and the degree reading should show 0.0°. If it doesn't, slide one side of the frame slightly up or down until the bubble centres — most wire-hung frames allow this adjustment without moving the nail.
Tip: Camera bumps. Most modern phones have a protruding camera that stops them lying perfectly flat. When using Wall Mode, press the Zero button before measuring to calibrate away the camera bump and get an accurate reading.
Hanging frames with two hooks instead of wire
Frames with two D-ring hooks or keyhole mounts need two nails at exactly the same height. Measure the horizontal distance between the two hooks on the back of the frame, then mark both nail positions on the wall at the same measured height. After hanging, use Wall Mode to confirm the frame is straight and adjust by tapping one side gently up or down if needed.
When the wall itself isn't straight
In older homes, walls are rarely perfectly plumb. If your frame looks crooked against the wall but the spirit level says 0.0°, trust the spirit level — the frame is genuinely horizontal even if it doesn't look it. In this case, you can choose to align the frame with the wall visually or with the true horizontal; most people prefer the visual match in living areas.
For all your leveling needs — shelves, TV mounts, furniture — Spirit Level Online runs directly in your browser without any app download. It's free and works on any modern smartphone.