Installation Guide · 2026
How to Mount a TV on the Wall
Wall mounting a TV is a straightforward DIY job if you follow the right sequence. Here is the complete step-by-step process for all wall types, with the tools you need and the mistakes to avoid.
Before You Start
What you need before drilling anything
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Stud finder or detector
Essential for drywall. A basic magnetic stud finder is sufficient for most installs. An electronic stud finder is more reliable for metal studs and insulated walls.
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Drill and drill bits
A standard power drill. Masonry bits for brick or concrete. Wood drill bits for timber studs. Pilot hole bits included with most mount kits.
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Spirit level
Essential for a straight mount. A crooked TV is immediately obvious and impossible to ignore once hung. A 60 cm level is ideal for TV mounting.
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Pencil and tape measure
For marking stud positions, mount height, and VESA hole positions on the wall before drilling.
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Second person
Essential for lifting and hanging the TV. A 65-inch TV weighs 15 to 22 kg and requires two people to safely lift and position onto the wall bracket.
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TV mount (correct VESA)
Verify the VESA pattern on your TV before buying the mount. Common patterns: 200x200, 400x400, 600x400. Check your TV manual or manufacturer website.
Step by Step
The complete mounting process
1
Calculate the correct height
Use the mount height calculator to find the target center height for your TV size and seating position. Mark this point on the wall in pencil. Remember: the center of the TV should be at your seated eye level, approximately 100 to 105 cm from the floor for standard couch seating.
2
Find your fixing points
For drywall: use a stud finder to locate studs. Mark stud positions with a light pencil mark. Standard stud spacing is 400 mm or 600 mm in the UK and 16 or 24 inches in the US. For masonry: identify a clean, solid section of wall without crumbling mortar or hollow blocks.
3
Position the wall bracket
Hold the wall plate of the mount against the wall at the calculated height. Use a spirit level to ensure it is perfectly horizontal. Check that the fixing holes align with your studs or planned anchor points. Mark the fixing hole positions in pencil.
4
Drill pilot holes
Drill pilot holes at the marked positions. For timber studs use a 4 to 5 mm wood bit slightly smaller than the screw diameter. For masonry use a masonry bit matching the anchor diameter. For metal studs use appropriate self-tapping screws. Vacuum or brush away dust before inserting fixings.
5
Attach the wall bracket
Insert wall anchors if required (masonry or hollow wall). Offer the bracket up to the wall and insert screws through the bracket holes into the studs or anchors. Tighten firmly. Check with a spirit level again before fully tightening. The bracket must be rock solid with zero movement.
6
Attach mounting arms to the TV
Lay the TV face-down on a soft surface. Attach the TV mounting arms or plate to the VESA holes on the back of the TV using the bolts provided with the mount kit. Ensure the bolts are the correct length: too short will not grip, too long may protrude into the TV chassis. Check your TV manual for the maximum bolt depth.
7
Hang the TV
With a second person, lift the TV and hook or slide the TV mounting arms onto the wall bracket. Most mounts click or lock into place. Engage any safety locking bolts or pins that prevent the TV from being accidentally lifted off the bracket. Connect all cables before positioning the TV flat against the wall.
8
Manage cables
Route power and HDMI cables. Options: in-wall cable kit (thread through the wall cavity between TV and outlet), surface cable raceway (clean plastic channel stuck to wall), or simply bundle cables neatly with cable ties and run them down to the unit below. An in-wall cable kit requires an additional socket-level power point directly behind or below the TV mount position.
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Power cables in walls (UK/EU): Running mains power cables inside walls (as opposed to low-voltage signal cables) must comply with building regulations. In the UK, running a new mains cable inside a wall is notifiable building work. Use a surface cable raceway for the power cable, or have the socket moved by a qualified electrician. Low-voltage HDMI, USB, and speaker cables are not subject to the same restriction.
Recommended TV wall mounts and cable management kits coming soon.
Find the right mounting height
Calculate the correct center and bottom edge height for your TV before you drill.
FAQ
Common questions: wall mounting a TV
For a first-time installation on a standard drywall with studs, allow 1.5 to 2 hours including measuring, finding studs, drilling, hanging the TV, and cable management. On a masonry wall, add 20 to 30 minutes for drilling. With a second install on familiar equipment the whole process takes 45 to 60 minutes.
On drywall, you should not mount a TV (above about 10 kg) without securing to studs or using specialist heavy-duty hollow wall anchors rated for the load. Dryplug, Molly bolt, or Toggler anchors rated above the TV weight can work in drywall if studs are inaccessible, but the combined load over time from a heavy TV can cause drywall anchors to loosen. Into studs is always the preferred approach.
A TV mounted too high forces a consistent upward neck tilt during viewing, which compresses the cervical spine and causes neck and shoulder pain on long viewing sessions. This is one of the most common TV installation mistakes. See the TV too high guide for diagnosing and fixing the problem, and the mount height guide for the correct position.