How To Put Up A Hammock: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Put Up a Hammock PDF download Download Article Set up and install a hammock with ease using our help Co-authored by Josh Goldbach and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: January 17, 2025

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  • Hanging a Hammock Outside
    • |
  • Hanging a Hammock Indoors
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Josh Goldbach and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Josh Goldbach is an Outdoor Education Expert and the Executive Director of Bold Earth Adventures. Bold Earth leads adventure travel camps for teenagers all over the world. With almost 15 years of experience, Josh specializes in outdoor adventure trips for teens both in the United States and internationally. Josh earned his B.A. in Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s also trained as a wilderness first responder, a Leave No Trace master educator, and a Level 5 Swiftwater rescue technician. This article has been viewed 100,143 times.

Before you can lay down and relax in your hammock, you have to hang it up. You can hang your hammock up outside or inside, using trees or walls as supports. It’s important you use the right tools to hang your hammock so it’s secure when you're laying in it. Make sure your hammock is hung up high enough so you're not resting on the ground when you get in!

How to Hang a Hammock

Find 2 trees that are next to each other, and secure the tree straps around each trunk. Hook the ends of the hammock to the rings on the tree straps to spread it out. Raise the the hammock up 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) if it has spreader bars or 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) if it doesn't.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Hanging a Hammock Outside

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  1. Step 1 Find 2 trees to hang your hammock between. 1 Find 2 trees to hang your hammock between. Look for healthy, sturdy trees and avoid trees that are young and thin. Try to find 2 trees that are spaced apart the same distance as the length of your hammock.[1] If the trees are closer together than that, don’t use them or your body will be resting on the ground when you’re in your hammock.[2]
    • If the distance between 2 trees is greater than the length of your hammock, you can use chains or rope to make your hammock reach. Just try not to go over 18 inches (45.7 cm) extra on each side of your hammock or it could rip.
    • Look for trees that are at least two arms together in thickness.[3]
    • Be careful not to use a dead tree to hook your hammock.[4]
  2. Step 2 Wrap a tree strap around each tree. 2 Wrap a tree strap around each tree. Tree straps are fabric straps with a loop on one end and a metal ring on the other. Using tree straps will prevent the trees you hang your hammock on from getting damaged.[5] Wrap a tree strap around one of the trees you found and pass the metal ring through the loop. Repeat with a second tree strap on the other tree.[6]
    • You can find tree straps online or at your local outdoor supplies store.
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  3. Step 3 Hook the tree strap rings to the rings on the ends of the hammock. 3 Hook the tree strap rings to the rings on the ends of the hammock. Use either S-hooks or carabiners to hook the rings together. Make sure the hooks you’re using are designed to withstand heavy loads. Check the packaging before you buy hooks to see how much weight they hold, and make sure to get hooks that will hold at least your body weight.[7]
  4. Step 4 Adjust the height of your hammock. 4 Adjust the height of your hammock. If you’re using a hammock with spreader bars (wooden bars on each end of the hammock that keep it spread out), hang your hammock 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) up the trunk of the tree. If you’re using a traditional hammock without spreader bars, hang it at 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) up the tree. Slide the tree straps up or down the base of the trees they’re attached to until the hammock is at the right height.[8]
    • If your body is resting on the ground when you get in your hammock, raise the tree straps up to raise the hammock.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Hanging a Hammock Indoors

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  1. Step 1 Choose 2 walls to hang your hammock between. 1 Choose 2 walls to hang your hammock between. The distance between the walls should be at least the length of your hammock. Choose sturdy walls that have studs in them that can support the weight of the hammock.[9]
    • If your hammock is too big for two walls that are facing each other, hang your hammock diagonally instead.
  2. Step 2 Use a stud finder to find the studs in the walls. 2 Use a stud finder to find the studs in the walls. Hold the stud finder flat against one of the walls, near the section of the wall you want to hang your hammock from. Press the calibrate button on the stud finder and wait for it to stop flashing or beeping. Then slowly move the stud finder across the surface of the wall horizontally. When the stud finder beeps, stop moving it and mark the spot where the stud is with a pencil. Repeat on the other wall.[10]
    • Test the spot a few times with the stud finder to make sure it’s not a false reading.
    • You can pick up a stud finder at your local hardware store.
  3. Step 3 Drill a hole into the stud in each wall at the same height. 3 Drill a hole into the stud in each wall at the same height. Make sure the holes are deep enough for a screw to go all the way in them.[11] If your hammock has spreader bars that keep it spread open, drill the holes between 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) high. If your hammock doesn’t have spreader bars, drill the holes between 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) high.[12]
  4. Step 4 Screw a heavy-duty eye bolt into each hole. 4 Screw a heavy-duty eye bolt into each hole. Look for eye bolts at your local hardware store that are designed to carry heavy loads. Make sure the eye bolts you use are able to hold your body weight. Twist each eye bolt counterclockwise until the screw part on the bolt is completely in the hole.[13]
  5. Step 5 Attach the ends of your hammock to the eye bolts using an S-hook. 5 Attach the ends of your hammock to the eye bolts using an S-hook. You can also use carabiners designed to hold heavy loads. Make sure whatever kind of hook you use is able to hold your body weight.
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Things You’ll Need

Hanging a Hammock Outside

  • Hammock
  • Tree straps
  • S-hooks or carabiners

Hanging a Hammock Indoors

  • Hammock
  • Stud finder
  • Drill
  • Eye bolts
  • S-hooks or carabiners

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about camping, check out our in-depth interview with Josh Goldbach.

References

  1. ↑ Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-hang-a-hammock/#.WdVEp9OGOYU
  3. ↑ Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Josh Goldbach. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/outdoor-projects/how-to/a5889/how-to-hang-a-hammock/
  7. ↑ http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/outdoor-projects/how-to/a5889/how-to-hang-a-hammock/
  8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-hang-a-hammock/#.WdVEp9OGOYU
  9. ↑ https://theultimatehang.com/2013/10/30/hanging-a-hammock-indoors/
More References (4)
  1. ↑ https://theultimatehang.com/2013/10/30/hanging-a-hammock-indoors/
  2. ↑ https://theultimatehang.com/2013/10/30/hanging-a-hammock-indoors/
  3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-hang-a-hammock/#.WdVEp9OGOYU
  4. ↑ https://theultimatehang.com/2013/10/30/hanging-a-hammock-indoors/

About This Article

Josh Goldbach Co-authored by: Josh Goldbach Outdoor Education Expert This article was co-authored by Josh Goldbach and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Josh Goldbach is an Outdoor Education Expert and the Executive Director of Bold Earth Adventures. Bold Earth leads adventure travel camps for teenagers all over the world. With almost 15 years of experience, Josh specializes in outdoor adventure trips for teens both in the United States and internationally. Josh earned his B.A. in Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s also trained as a wilderness first responder, a Leave No Trace master educator, and a Level 5 Swiftwater rescue technician. This article has been viewed 100,143 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10 Updated: January 17, 2025 Views: 100,143 Categories: Featured Articles | Hammocks Article SummaryX

To put up a hammock outside, you’ll need to find 2 healthy, sturdy trees that are roughly the same distance apart as the length of your hammock. Wrap each of your tree straps around a tree and attach the rings of your hammock to the straps using S-hooks or carabiners. If your hammock has bars at each end to keep it spread out, hang it 5 to 6 feet off the ground. If it doesn't have spreader bars, hang it 6 to 8 feet high. To adjust the height, just slide the tree straps up or down. For more tips, including how to hang your hammock indoors, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Josh Goldbach Co-authored by: Josh Goldbach Outdoor Education Expert Click a star to vote Co-authors: 10 Updated: January 17, 2025 Views: 100,143 Lonny

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