What height should a picture rail be?

Picture rail is typically fixed between 1.8m and 2.1m from the finished floor, usually about 300-500mm below the ceiling. In a standard 2.4m room, 2.0m from the floor is the most common height. In rooms with higher ceilings (2.7m+), the rail can be set higher at 2.1-2.3m. The rail should be high enough that pictures hang at eye level when using picture hooks and wire.

What is the difference between picture rail and dado rail?

Picture rail sits near the top of the wall (1.8-2.1m from the floor) and has a specially shaped top edge designed to accept S-hooks for hanging pictures. Dado rail sits at about 900mm from the floor and historically protected the lower wall from chair backs. Both are decorative mouldings, but they serve different purposes and have different profiles.

How do I hang pictures from a picture rail?

Use picture rail hooks (also called moulding hooks or S-hooks) that clip over the top of the rail. Attach picture wire or cord to the hook and adjust the length to hang the picture at the desired height. This system lets you hang and rearrange pictures without making holes in the walls — one of the main advantages of picture rail.

Should picture rail go all the way around the room?

In most rooms, picture rail runs continuously around all four walls, stopping only at door openings. However, some people choose to only fit it on the walls where they plan to hang pictures. For the best visual effect and period authenticity, run it around the entire room. It also provides a natural line for a two-tone paint scheme.

How do I fix picture rail to the wall?

Apply grab adhesive (No More Nails or similar) in a zigzag along the back of the rail. Pin into place with 40mm panel pins or a brad nailer at approximately 300mm intervals. On masonry walls, you can also use screws and wall plugs, countersinking the screw heads and filling. On stud walls, try to hit at least some studs with your fixings.

Can I fit picture rail in a modern house?

Absolutely. Picture rail adds character to any home and provides a practical way to hang artwork without drilling holes in walls. Modern picture rail profiles like pencil round suit contemporary interiors, while ogee and torus profiles suit traditional and period settings. The rail also creates a visual break for paint colour changes.

Picture Rail Calculator — How Much Picture Rail Moulding Do I Need?

Picture Rail Calculator

Calculate picture rail moulding lengths, mitre joints, adhesive and pin nails for any room. Deducts for door openings automatically.

Enter room perimeter directly

Toggle off to enter room length and width instead

Room Length

Room Width

Internal Corners

Standard rectangular room = 4

External Corners

Chimney breasts, bay windows etc.

Door Openings

Standard 762mm door deducted

Rail Height from Floor

Usually 300-500mm below ceiling

Standard Lengths

Length of moulding from your supplier

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the total length of picture rail moulding needed for your room, the number of standard lengths to purchase, mitre joint count, adhesive and pin nails.

Rail length

Total rail = Room perimeter - Door openings. Each standard UK door opening is deducted at 762mm. The rail stops at the edge of the door architrave.

Lengths to buy

Lengths = ceil(Total rail / Standard length). Picture rail typically comes in 2.4m or 3.0m lengths from UK timber merchants. Buy one or two extra lengths to allow for mitre waste and any mistakes.

Mitre joints

Each corner requires a mitre joint. Internal corners can be coped for a better fit on walls that aren't perfectly square. External corners (chimney breasts, bay windows) must be mitred at 45 degrees.

Fixings

Grab adhesive: ~1 tube per 8m of rail
Pin nails: 1 per 300mm, used to hold rail while adhesive sets

Standard heights

Picture rail is installed between 1.8m and 2.1m from the floor, typically 300-500mm below the ceiling. In a standard 2.4m ceiling room, 2.0m from the floor is most common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.

Picture Rail Calculator

How We Calculate This

Rail length

Lengths to buy

Mitre joints

Fixings

Standard heights

Frequently Asked Questions

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