Hammock Sizes: Dimensions, Stands and How to Hang One
Length and width of camping, spreader-bar, Brazilian and Mayan hammocks in feet and centimeters, which length suits your height, the stand you need, and the distances and angles for hanging one between trees or posts.
A single camping hammock is about 9-10 ft long and 4-5 ft wide (275-305 × 120-150 cm); a double is about the same length and 6-6.5 ft (180-200 cm) wide. Backyard spreader-bar hammocks have a bed about 6.5-7 ft (200-215 cm) long, 40-60 in wide, and are 11-13 ft (3.4-4.0 m) long overall with their ropes, which is why their stands are about 15 ft (4.6 m) long.
- Single camping
- 9-10 × 4-5 ft
- Double camping
- 9-10 × 6-6.5 ft
- Spreader-bar stand
- About 15 ft long
- Hang angle
- About 30 degrees
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Hammock sizes by type
Hammocks are sold as single or double, but the words mean different things for each type. Compare the bed dimensions (the part you lie on) and the overall length including end loops, ropes or chains, which decides the distance between anchor points.
| Type | Bed length | Bed width | Overall length | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camping, single (gathered end) | 9-10 ft (275-305 cm) | 4-5 ft (120-150 cm) | Same plus straps | 300-400 lb (136-181 kg) |
| Camping, double | 9-10 ft (275-305 cm) | 6-6.5 ft (180-200 cm) | Same plus straps | 400-500 lb (181-227 kg) |
| Camping, long | 11 ft (335 cm) | 5-5.5 ft (150-170 cm) | Same plus straps | 300-400 lb (136-181 kg) |
| Spreader-bar rope or quilted, single | 6.5-7 ft (200-215 cm) | 40-48 in (100-120 cm) | 11-12 ft (335-365 cm) | 250-350 lb (113-159 kg) |
| Spreader-bar, double | 6.5-7 ft (200-215 cm) | 55-60 in (140-150 cm) | 12-13 ft (365-400 cm) | 400-450 lb (181-204 kg) |
| Brazilian (woven cotton, gathered) | 7-8 ft (215-245 cm) | 5-6.5 ft (150-200 cm) | 11-13 ft (335-400 cm) | 300-450 lb (136-204 kg) |
| Mayan (string) | 7-8 ft (215-245 cm) | Varies widely when stretched | 11-13 ft (335-400 cm) | 300-500 lb (136-227 kg) |
| Hammock chair | Seat 40-50 in (100-127 cm) wide | Hangs from one point | Needs 5.5-7 ft (1.7-2.1 m) of drop | 250-300 lb (113-136 kg) |
Gathered-end hammocks (camping, Brazilian, Mayan) are meant to be lain in on a diagonal, which flattens the fabric. Spreader-bar hammocks hold the bed open with wooden bars at each end and you lie straight along them; they are quicker to get into but less stable and need to be hung tighter.
Which hammock length fits your height
- Gathered-end, lying diagonally: a 10 ft (305 cm) hammock suits most people up to about 6 ft (183 cm); an 11 ft (335 cm) hammock is better above that. A 9 ft hammock suits children, short adults and ultralight packs.
- Spreader-bar, lying straight: the bed should be at least 6 in longer than you. A 78 in (198 cm) bed fits people up to about 6 ft.
- Width: on camping hammocks, 5 ft or wider gives a flatter diagonal lay. Two adults sharing a double for sleeping is uncomfortable for most; doubles are mainly for space and for sitting.
Hammock stand dimensions
A stand has to be longer than the hammock's overall length, because the hammock hangs in a curve between its two hooks. The stand's own footprint and the swing room around it decide whether it fits on a patio or deck.
| Stand | Length | Width | Hook height | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact / camping stand | 9-10.5 ft (2.7-3.2 m) | 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) | About 4-4.5 ft | 9-11 ft gathered-end hammocks |
| Adjustable universal | 9-14 ft (2.7-4.3 m) | 3.5-4.5 ft (1.1-1.4 m) | About 4-5 ft | Most hammocks; check the range |
| Standard steel stand | 15 ft (4.6 m) | About 4 ft (1.2 m) | About 4-4.5 ft | 11-13 ft spreader-bar and Brazilian |
| Wooden arc stand | 13-15 ft (4.0-4.6 m) | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) | About 4-5 ft | Spreader-bar hammocks |
| Hammock chair stand | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) base | 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) | 6.5-7 ft (2.0-2.1 m) | Hammock chairs and pod swings |
Leave about 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) clear on each side of the stand so the hammock can sway and people can get in from the side. A 15 ft stand therefore needs a clear area of about 17 × 9 ft (5.2 × 2.7 m). For fitting a stand among other furniture, see the patio furniture space guide.
How to hang a hammock: distances and angles
- Find anchors the right distance apart. For 9-11 ft camping hammocks, trees or posts 12-16 ft (3.7-4.9 m) apart. For 11-13 ft spreader-bar hammocks, about 14-16 ft (4.3-4.9 m).
- Set the strap height. Attach straps about 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) up each anchor. Wider spacing needs higher straps to keep the angle right.
- Aim for a 30 degree angle. The suspension should leave each anchor about 30 degrees below horizontal. That gives a gathered-end hammock enough sag to lie flat on the diagonal.
- Check the sit height. With someone in it, the lowest point should be about 18 in (46 cm) off the ground.
- Protect the trees. Use flat webbing straps about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide or wider, not rope or wire, and only on healthy live trees thick enough not to bend, generally 6 in (15 cm) across or more. Many parks have their own rules on hammocks.
The angle matters for strength as well as comfort. The tension in each strap equals the load divided by twice the sine of the angle from horizontal:
| Suspension angle | Tension per side | Multiple of body weight |
|---|---|---|
| 45 degrees | 141 lb (64 kg) | 0.71 × |
| 30 degrees | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1.0 × |
| 20 degrees | 292 lb (132 kg) | 1.46 × |
| 15 degrees | 386 lb (175 kg) | 1.93 × |
| 10 degrees | 576 lb (261 kg) | 2.88 × |
A hammock pulled nearly flat between two anchors multiplies the load on straps, carabiners, hooks and posts. At 10 degrees, a 200 lb person puts almost 600 lb on each anchor, more than many wall hooks and some straps are rated for.
Structural ridgeline length
Many camping hammocks have a cord running between the two ends above the body, a structural ridgeline, that sets the same sag every time regardless of how far apart the trees are. The common starting length is about 83% of the hammock's fabric length.
| Hammock length | Ridgeline |
|---|---|
| 9 ft (274 cm) | About 7 ft 6 in (228 cm) |
| 10 ft (305 cm) | About 8 ft 4 in (253 cm) |
| 11 ft (335 cm) | About 9 ft 2 in (278 cm) |
| 12 ft (366 cm) | About 10 ft (304 cm) |
Adjust by an inch or two to taste: shorter gives a deeper sag, longer a flatter but tippier hang.
Hammocks on porches, pergolas and walls
Hanging indoors or from a structure needs anchors into solid framing, not into deck boards or drywall alone.
- Distance between hooks: about 1-2 ft more than the hammock's overall length. For a 13 ft spreader-bar hammock, hooks about 14-15 ft apart.
- Hook height: 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) above the floor, set so the 18 in sit height and the 30 degree angle work out.
- Posts: a pergola post is designed to carry the roof down, not a sideways pull. Brace it or use a dedicated post set in concrete.
- Hammock chairs: one ceiling joist or beam hook, with 5.5-7 ft (1.7-2.1 m) from the hook to the floor and about 3 ft of clear space all round for the swing.
For the rest of a camping setup, see camping tent sizes and sleeping bag dimensions. A backyard frame that holds swings as well as a hammock is covered in the swing set size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are standard hammock sizes in cm?
Single camping hammocks are about 275-305 cm long and 120-150 cm wide; doubles are 275-305 × 180-200 cm. Spreader-bar hammocks have a bed of about 200-215 × 100-150 cm and an overall length with ropes of about 335-400 cm.
What size stand do I need for a single hammock?
A gathered-end camping hammock of 9-11 ft needs a stand about 9-10.5 ft (2.7-3.2 m) long, often an adjustable one. A spreader-bar hammock needs a stand about 12-15 ft (3.7-4.6 m) long depending on its overall length; 15 ft is the most common size for 11-13 ft hammocks. Check the stand's weight rating against the hammock's.
How far apart should trees be for a hammock?
For a 9-11 ft camping hammock, about 12-16 ft (3.7-4.9 m) apart, with straps attached about 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) up the trunk. For a 13 ft spreader-bar hammock, about 14-16 ft. Closer trees can work if you attach higher; farther ones need longer straps.
How high should a hammock hang?
With someone lying in it, the lowest point should be about 18 in (46 cm) off the ground, roughly chair height. That makes it easy to sit into and get out of and limits the fall if anything gives way. Children's hammocks should hang lower.
What size hammock does a tall person need?
For gathered-end hammocks, a common rule is 10 ft for people up to about 6 ft and 11 ft for anyone taller, so they can lie on the diagonal. For spreader-bar hammocks, the bed length should exceed your height by about 6 in or more.