# Hammock Hang Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/everyday-life/hammock-hang/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The hammock hang calculator works out the strap (suspension) length, hanging point height and the tension on each anchor for a gathered-end hammock from the distance between trees, hang angle, sitting height and your weight.

## Inputs

- Distance between anchors (ft, m, in, cm, yd)
- Hammock length (end to end) (ft, m, in, cm, yd)
- Hang angle
- Sitting height above ground (in, cm)
- Weight in the hammock (lb, kg, g, oz)

## Results

- Ridgeline length
- Suspension length (each side)
- Hanging point height
- Tension on each anchor
- Horizontal pull on each anchor

## Formula

```
Ridgeline ≈ 83% of hammock length
Suspension length (each side) = (anchor distance − ridgeline) ÷ 2 ÷ cos(angle)
Anchor height ≈ sit height + hammock sag + suspension rise
Tension per side = weight ÷ (2 × sin(angle))
```

## Explanation

A 30° hang angle is the classic recommendation: it gives a comfortable diagonal lay and keeps the force on each strap close to your body weight. Hanging the hammock tighter (a smaller angle) increases the tension dramatically – at 10° each anchor sees almost three times your weight.

### How to use the Hammock Hang Calculator

- **Distance between anchors**
- **Hammock length (end to end)**
- **Hang angle**
- **Sitting height above ground**
- **Weight in the hammock**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the distance between the trees or posts, the hammock length, the hang angle, your preferred sitting height and the weight in the hammock.

### Tips

- Results are estimates meant for planning and fun – adjust the inputs to match your situation.
- Everything runs in your browser, so you can try as many variations as you like.
- Share the result link with friends so everyone sees the same numbers.
- For safety-related hobbies (hammocks, balloons, tents), follow the manufacturer's limits.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Using default values when you know your own figures.
- Treating rough rules of thumb as exact.
- Forgetting to add breaks, travel or setup time.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterDistance between anchorsUnits: ft, m, in, cm, ydHammock length (end to end)Units: ft, m, in, cm, ydHang angleChoose one: 10°, 15°, 20°, 25° …Sitting height above groundUnits: in, cmWeight in the hammockUnits: lb, kg, g, oz

### What each result means

- **Ridgeline length** = 0.83×[Hammock length (end to end)]
- **Suspension length (each side)** = max([Distance between anchors] - [Ridgeline length], 0)÷2÷cos(rad([Hang angle]))
- **Hanging point height** = [Sitting height above ground] + 0.5×sqrt(max([Hammock length (end to end)]^2 - [Ridgeline length]^2, 0)) + max([Distance between anchors] - [Ridgeline length], 0)÷2×tan(rad([Hang angle]))
- **Tension on each anchor** = [Weight in the hammock]÷(2×sin(rad([Hang angle])))
- **Horizontal pull on each anchor** = [Tension on each anchor]×cos(rad([Hang angle]))

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Distance between anchors** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Distance between anchors (ft)Suspension length (each side) (ft)7.5011.251.22153.3918.755.5522.57.723012.05

## Worked example

Inputs — Distance between anchors: 15 ft; Hammock length (end to end): 11 ft; Hang angle: 30°; Sitting height above ground: 18 in; Weight in the hammock: 180 lb.

Results — Ridgeline length = 9.13 ft; **Suspension length (each side) = 3.39 ft**; Hanging point height = 6.26 ft; Tension on each anchor = 180 lb; Horizontal pull on each anchor = 156 lb.

## FAQ

**What is the best hang angle for a hammock?**
About 30° from horizontal – comfortable and with moderate tension on the straps.

**How high should I hang my hammock?**
So the seat is about chair height (18 in / 45 cm) – usually with straps 5–6 ft up the trees.

**How far apart should trees be?**
Roughly 12–18 ft for most camping hammocks.

**What formula does the Hammock Hang Calculator use?**
Ridgeline ≈ 83% of hammock length.


## Sources

- [The Ultimate Hang – Hammock hang calculator principles](https://theultimatehang.com/)