How to hang a picture without finding a stud
When you don't need a stud, when you do, and the right anchor for the weight.
Riley Brand
February 24, 2026
Match the anchor to the weight
Under 5 lb: a nail or picture-hook nail straight into drywall. Skip anchors entirely.
5–25 lb: plastic expansion anchors (the kind that flare when you screw into them). Cheap, reliable.
25–50 lb: self-drilling anchors (E-Z Anchor) or toggle bolts. The screw goes through the anchor, which spreads behind the wall.
50+ lb: find a stud or use a heavy-duty toggle bolt. At this weight, get serious.
How to install an anchor
Mark where the picture will hang. Drill a hole the size specified on the anchor packaging.
Tap the anchor in until flush with the wall. Insert screw, leaving the head sticking out about 1/4 inch — that's where the picture wire will rest.
Multiple frames in a row
Cut a piece of paper to match the back of each frame. Tape paper templates to the wall first, in the layout you want.
Mark the hanging point on each template. Take templates down. Anchor and hang. The layout works without estimating.
People also ask
Why not just use Command strips?+
Fine for art under 8 lb in temperature-stable environments. They fail with weight, humidity, or summer heat. Anchors are more reliable.
Will I damage the wall?+
All anchors leave a hole. Most are dime-sized. Spackle and touch-up paint cover them entirely if you move out.
Stud finder didn't beep — should I worry?+
Studs are typically 16 inches apart. If yours is dead, knock the wall — solid sound = stud. Or use a magnet to find drywall screws (they're in studs).