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What is a sawtooth hanger?
A sawtooth hanger is a short metal bar with serrated teeth that hooks onto one nail. It suits small, light frames: 7 lb or less for a standard one, up to 25 lb for a heavy-duty one, or under 5 lb in another source. Its teeth allow small horizontal adjustment.
Diagram: sawtooth hanger on a frame top rail. Schematic.
Weight ranges
| Type | Weight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sawtooth | 7 lb or less | PHS |
| Same, small frames | Under 5 lb, e.g. 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 | CPFH |
| Heavy-duty sawtooth | Up to 25 lb | PHS |
| Mega sawtooth | Over 250 lb; the source still prefers a cleat | PHS |
Fixings: screws for wood frames, nail prongs for canvas and snap-in versions for metal frames (PHS). Placement: centred on the top rail about 1/2 inch from the top edge with teeth facing down (CPFH). The sources disagree on the standard limit, 7 lb against under 5 lb, so use the lower. The teeth also allow small horizontal adjustment after hanging (CPFH).
Nail height with the centre at 57 inches
Top edge = 57 + height / 2. The nail sits about half an inch below the top edge for a hanger placed there. Heights in inches.
| Frame height (in) | Top edge (in) | Nail height (in), approx. |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 60 | 59.5 |
| 8 | 61 | 60.5 |
| 10 | 62 | 61.5 |
| 12 | 63 | 62.5 |
| 16 | 65 | 64.5 |
A sawtooth hangs from a single nail; PHS lists D-rings with wire, or a cleat, for heavier items. See picture wire.
Sources
- Picture Hang Solutions: a beginner's guide to 4 types of picture hangers (fetched 2026-11-12)
- CustomPictureFrames: installing picture frame hanging hardware (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased and re-checked on 2026-11-12. Where two sources disagree, both figures are shown. Hardware and wall products vary, so follow the pack instructions.