How to Hang a TV on the Wall
Quick answer
Find the wall studs with a stud finder, mark and drill pilot holes into the studs, bolt the mounting bracket to the wall, then attach the arms to the back of the TV and hook it on. On a solid brick or concrete wall you drill with a masonry bit and use heavy duty wall anchors instead of studs.
Mounting a television yourself is one of the most satisfying home jobs, and it is well within reach for any confident DIYer. The whole thing comes down to two things: fixing the bracket into something strong enough to hold the weight, and getting it level. Rush either and you end up with a crooked screen or, far worse, a TV on the floor. Here is how to do it properly the first time.
What you need
- A wall mount bracket rated for your TV size and weight (check the VESA hole pattern on the back of the TV).
- A cordless drill, or a hammer drill if you are fixing into brick or concrete.
- The right bits: wood or HSS bits for stud walls, masonry bits for brick and concrete.
- A stud finder, a spirit level or laser level, a tape measure, and a pencil.
- Heavy duty wall anchors if you cannot fix into studs.
Step 1: Find the studs (or assess the wall)
On a plasterboard wall, the bracket must bolt into the timber studs behind it, never into the board alone. Run a stud finder across the wall to locate the studs, which are usually 400mm or 600mm apart, and mark their centres. On a solid brick or concrete wall you do not need studs, but you do need a hammer drill, the correct masonry bit, and strong wall anchors.
Step 2: Mark and check your height
As a rough guide, the centre of the screen should sit near eye level from your normal seating position, often around 1.1m to 1.3m from the floor to the middle of the TV. Hold the bracket up, use a spirit level or laser level to get it dead straight, and mark every fixing hole with a pencil.
Step 3: Drill the pilot holes
- Fit the correct bit for your wall type into the drill.
- Drill straight and square at each mark, into the stud centre on a timber wall or into the brick on a solid wall.
- Wrap tape on the bit as a depth guide so you match the length of your bolt or anchor.
Do not skip the level check
Check the bracket is level again after the first bolt is loosely in, before you tighten everything. A bracket can shift slightly as you drive fixings, and two minutes with a level here saves a crooked TV later.
Step 4: Fix the bracket and hang the TV
Bolt the wall plate tight, giving it a firm pull to confirm it does not move. Attach the two vertical arms to the VESA holes on the back of the TV, then lift the set and hook the arms onto the wall plate. Most brackets have a locking tab or safety screw at the bottom, so fit that before you let go. Tidy the cables through the bracket channel or a trunking strip.
FAQs
Can I hang a TV without drilling into studs?
On plasterboard you should always fix into studs for a heavy TV. If a stud is not where you need it, use a proper heavy duty toggle or metal anchor rated for the load, but studs are always safer. On brick or concrete you fix straight into the wall with masonry anchors.
What drill do I need to mount a TV?
For a timber stud wall a standard cordless drill is fine. For brick or concrete you need a hammer drill or combi drill with a masonry bit, because a plain drill will struggle to make the hole.
How high should I mount my TV?
Aim for the middle of the screen to sit near eye level from where you sit, often around 1.1m to 1.3m from the floor. Mount it a little lower for a living room sofa and higher for a kitchen or bedroom where you stand or lie down.
How do I know if my wall can hold a TV?
Solid brick and concrete walls easily hold a TV with the right anchors. Stud walls hold well when you fix into the timber. Be cautious with hollow dot-and-dab or stud walls with no stud where you need it, and use fixings rated well above the TV weight.
Do I need a stud finder?
On plasterboard, yes. A stud finder is the quickest way to locate the timber you must bolt into. You can tap and listen for the solid spots, but a finder is far more reliable and saves you drilling test holes.