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I am sure you experts get tired of questions like these, but I'm a complete newbie when it comes to hanging things on drywall.

I ordered a piece of framed wall art, which is listed at 6 lbs. If I'm hanging this on drywall, do I use a nail, a screw, or a drywall anchor? It's on a small wall where I won't be able to find a stud.

This is a rental unit and I have no idea how thick the drywall is.

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At 6 pounds, a simple picture hook will do. Any box store or hardware store will have them and they will list their load rating on them. Working from memory, I think the smallest size has a 10 pound rating.

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  • I agree that a picture hook is adequate, although I'm always a little dubious of the weight ratings. I would probably opt for a 2- or 3-nail version over the smallest. – Hank Apr 8 '15 at 3:26
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    They make 30 pound one nail hooks, those are more than necessary. The ratings on nails, hooks and fasteners for drywall are all based on a hanging weight, not a pull out weight. A picture is a perfect hanging weight. – diceless Apr 8 '15 at 14:48
  • A six pound picture is nothing for a wall hanger. The weight ratings are posted right on the packaging. The OP may want to opt for the next size up, say instead of 5-10 lbs, opt up to the 10-15 lb. It is still a dinky single nail hanger that will do the job very well. – Jack Apr 8 '15 at 15:13
  • I guess you guys are more confidant than I am! Here's a warning from a Home Depot picture hook: "Weight ratings are based on hangers nailed into studs and are for comparative purposes only, choose a weight rating that greatly exceeds the object to be hung". – Hank Apr 8 '15 at 18:18
  • The vast majority of picture hangers in the 20lb and under, the nail isn't even long enough to go into the stud through the drywall. 1/2 inch drywall will require a 3/4 inch nail to pierce the drywall and what is left sticking out is about 1/16 of an inch (this is at a 45deg angle). Not enough for any bite into wood. – diceless Apr 8 '15 at 19:30

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