How to Hang a Wall Clock

Co-authored by David Julien and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 4, 2022 References

Wall clocks add a touch of artistic style as well as function to any room that you put them in. Hanging them safely and securely is super important in preserving the life of your clock as well as your walls. Try choosing an eye-level placement for your clock and using a screw or an adhesive hook to hang it up so that it stays on your wall as long as you want it to.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Screw

1
Use a stud finder tool to locate a stud in your wall. Place the stud finder unit on the wall and turn it on by pressing the buttons on the side. Slide the tool from right to left until the lights indicate that there is a stud. Mark the area on your wall with a pencil.^{[1]
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- A stud will be much sturdier to drill into than just plain drywall.
- If you cannot find a stud in the area that you want to hang your clock, use piece of hardware called a screw anchor to hold your screw in place. This hardware looks like a large, hollowed-out screw, and you can find it at most hardware stores.
Tip: You can also find a stud without a tool by knocking on your wall. A hollow sound means that there is no stud, while a muffled sound means that there is.
2
Hold your clock up on the wall where you’d like it to hang. Pick your clock up and hold it on the wall. Have a friend or family member check to see how it looks in the position you are holding it. Take a look at the placement on the wall to see if you like where it is.^{[2]
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- It’s important to figure out how your clock looks before you put up any hardware since the hardware will make a hole in the wall.
- Generally, you should hang your clock at about eye level.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  David Julien
  DIY Specialist
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- Be sure to pick a spot where you'll be able to see the clock from several different angles.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  David Julien
  DIY Specialist
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
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3
Make a mark at the top of the clock with a pencil. Hold the clock steady on the wall with one hand and mark the top of the clock with a small marking pencil. The mark doesn’t have to be exact, but it should be able to help you guide your placement.^{[5]
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- If you need to, ask a friend to hold the clock while you mark the wall.
4
Drill an anchor into the wall if you aren’t using a stud. If your clock is especially heavy, use a screw anchor to keep it more secure. Attach a phillips head drill bit to your drill and screw the anchor into your wall about 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the mark that you made on your wall. Make sure the anchor is flush with your wall.^{[6]
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- You can find anchors at most hardware stores.
- If your clock is lighter than 20 pounds (9.1 kg), you don’t need to use a wall anchor. Just use a single screw instead.
5
Drill a screw into the wall with about ⅓ of it sticking out. Use your drill to insert a 3 in (7.6 cm) screw into the wall on your pencil mark. Leave about ⅓ of the screw sticking out of the wall.^{[7]
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6
Hook the clock onto the screw. Take a look at the back of your clock and see what part should be mounted on the screw. Some clocks have wire backings while others have small holes. Gently slip the mounting area of your clock over the screw in your wall.^{[8]
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- Most modern wall clocks will have a hole in the back for mounting, while older ones will have wire hangings.
7
Listen for an even ticking sound if your clock has a pendulum. Pendulums are the heavy, hanging mechanisms in old-fashioned clocks that keep time. Listen for an even tick-tock sound that keeps time roughly every 1 second to know that your clock is straight. If the ticking sound is off or uneven, adjust your clock so that it hangs straight.^{[9]
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- If the pendulum is off, your clock might tell the wrong time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Hanging with an Adhesive Hook

1
Clean off your wall with alcohol or window cleaner. Dip a washcloth into isopropyl alcohol or spray it with window cleaner. Gently wipe the area that you want your clock to hang with your washcloth to remove dirt and grime. Dry the area with a clean towel.^{[10]
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- Adhesive will stick much better to a clean and dry wall.
2
Mark the area you want your clock to hang with pencil. Hold your clock up to the wall at about eye-level in the area you want to put it.^{[11]
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Expert Source

David Julien
DIY Specialist
Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.} Mark the top of the clock with a pencil to use as a reference.^{[12]
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Research source}
- It may be helpful to have a friend hold the clock while you mark the wall with a pencil.
- Choose a spot where you'll be able to clearly see the clock.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Julien
  DIY Specialist
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
3
Attach an adhesive hook to the wall. Peel the backing off of the adhesive hook. Line it up with your pencil mark and gently press it onto the wall. Hold it on the wall for 10 to 20 seconds to make sure it is stuck.^{[14]
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- You can find adhesive hooks at most home goods or hardware stores.
- If your clock is heavy, check the weight limit of the hooks on the packaging.
4
Hang your clock on the adhesive hook. Line up the back of your clock with the hook. Slip the mounting part of the clock over the hook. If your clock is tilted or slanted, adjust it on the hook so it is even.^{[15]
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- If your clock doesn’t hang evenly, the ticking mechanism could get off balance and tell the wrong time.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Where should I hang my clock?

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

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First, think about the visibility of the location—choose a place where you can see the clock from several angles, and hang it at about eye level. Also, make sure the design of the clock works well with the rest of the decorations nearby.