What Size Hammock Do I Need? — Hammock Size Calculator
Shopping for a hammock starts with one question: what size hammock do I need? This free hammock size calculator takes your height and how you plan to use it — lounging in the backyard, camping, or sharing with a partner — and recommends the right hammock length and width, plus the hang distance and hang angle that keep you comfortable.
Enter your numbers
Your results
| Fabric bed length (estimate) | — |
|---|---|
| Recommended width | — |
| Hang distance (anchor spacing) | — |
| Hang angle | 30° from horizontal |
How to use this calculator
1. Enter your height in feet and inches. This drives the sizing rule, since a comfortable hammock bed needs to be noticeably longer than you are.
2. Pick your use case. Backyard lounging, camping/backpacking, and sharing with a partner each change the width and length you should shop for.
3. Read your recommendation. The results update instantly: the hammock length to look for, the estimated fabric bed length, the width you need, and the anchor spacing and hang angle for a comfortable setup.
How it works
The key number is bed length — the fabric you actually lie on — not the total length, which includes gathered ends, ropes, and suspension hardware. For a gathered-end hammock, the rule of thumb is that the bed should be at least your height plus about 4 ft. That extra length lets you lie on the diagonal, which is what turns a hammock from a cocoon into a flat bed.
This calculator applies the standard sizing tiers: users under 5′8″ get the best fit from a 10 ft hammock, users from 5′8″ to 6′2″ from an 11 ft hammock, and users over 6′2″ from an 11–12 ft hammock (we recommend 12 ft here). For two people, the answer is an 11 ft double hammock at least 6 ft wide. Bed lengths are estimates, since fabric-to-total ratios vary by brand.
For hanging, the standard guidance is to space your anchors about 83% of the total hammock length apart and set the straps so the suspension makes roughly a 30° angle with horizontal — the classic banana sag that keeps pressure off your knees and shoulders. All recommendations are estimates: check the weight rating and the manufacturer’s stated bed length before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What size hammock do I need for a 6 ft person?
A 6-foot person is most comfortable in an 11 ft gathered-end hammock. That gives you a bed length of roughly 9 ft — your 6 ft height plus about 3 ft of extra room — so you can lie on a comfortable diagonal without your shoulders or feet feeling cramped.
What is the difference between bed length and total length?
Bed length is the length of the fabric you lie on; total length includes the gathered ends, ropes, and suspension hardware. A hammock sold as “11 ft” usually has a bed of about 9 to 9.5 ft, so always check which number a product lists.
How far apart should the two anchor points be?
Space your trees or posts about 83% of the hammock’s total length apart. For an 11 ft hammock, that is roughly 9 ft. Hang the straps so the suspension forms about a 30° angle from horizontal — the classic banana sag.
Is a longer hammock always more comfortable?
Up to a point, yes. More fabric lets you lie on the diagonal, which is what makes a hammock flat instead of cocoon-shaped. But beyond about your height plus 4 ft you gain little comfort, and a hammock that is too long is harder to hang between typical trees.
What size hammock do two people need?
Choose a double hammock at least 11 ft long and 6 ft wide. The extra width gives two people shoulder room, and the 11 ft length keeps the lay flat enough for sharing comfortably.