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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Distance between anchors | Units: ft, m, in, cm, yd |
| Hammock length (end to end) | Units: ft, m, in, cm, yd |
| Hang angle | Choose one: 10°, 15°, 20°, 25° … |
| Sitting height above ground | Units: in, cm |
| Weight in the hammock | Units: 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) |
|---|---|
| 7.5 | 0 |
| 11.25 | 1.22 |
| 15 | 3.39 |
| 18.75 | 5.55 |
| 22.5 | 7.72 |
| 30 | 12.05 |
Formula
Ridgeline ≈ 83% of hammock lengthSuspension length (each side) = (anchor distance − ridgeline) ÷ 2 ÷ cos(angle)Anchor height ≈ sit height + hammock sag + suspension riseTension per side = weight ÷ (2 × sin(angle))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.
Frequently asked questions
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.