How to Hang a Hammock—Follow Our Easy Guide and Tips

Figure out how much weight the hammock will need to support.

Plan on approximately 300 pounds for a single-person hammock and 600 pounds for a two-person hammock. You’ll need to make sure that the supports and fasteners are built to handle that much weight.

Determine how long it’ll hang there.

You’ll use different methods to set up a hammock for your backyard or patio—where it’ll be a permanent fixture—than if you are looking to hang one up temporarily at a campsite or park.

Choose a great spot for your hammock.

Look for a spot that’s a little out of the way to help you truly relax. And you’ll need to make one big decision about your hammock placement: Do you want to bask in the sun on your hammock or chill out in the shade?

Check what’s around you.

Make sure the hammock is at least three feet away from walls, posts, or other trees (on either side), so you can swing freely without worrying about bumping into something.

Find a little support.

If planning a more permanent setup, consider using a hammock stand—it's built to handle the weight and will allow you to move your hammock so you can follow the sun (or stick to the shade). It also makes it super simple to set up your hammock. Just place the loops on the stand's hooks and relax—no extra hardware or drilling is required. You can also hang a hammock between a pair of posts on a porch or deck or even from studs in a wall or ceiling if looking to hang a hammock indoors.

For more temporary placements, look for a pair of sturdy trees at least 10 to 15 feet apart. Generally, trees at least 12 inches in diameter that look healthy will do the trick

Get the right hammock hardware.

What's needed to hang the hammock will depend on how you're hanging it. You won't need any additional hardware with a hammock stand. To hang a hammock on a tree without damaging the tree, you can buy special tree straps or use a heavy-duty rope to hang the hammock. If hanging it from posts or a wall, you'll use wall anchors and S hooks—or the tree straps, if using a post—to keep it in place. And if hanging it on a covered porch, you can hang it from chains and hooks, connected to a stud in the porch ceiling.

Hang the hammock at the right height.

Experts recommend hanging a hammock so that it sits 18 inches above the ground when sitting in it to make it easy to get in and out of the hammock. Because of the curve of the hammock, aim to place the hanging hardware at least four feet above the ground. With most methods of hanging it, you can adjust the straps or chains up or down to make the hammock individually comfortable. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy a good swing.