How to Mount a TV on a Wall Safely

Wall-mounted televisions look clean and save floor space, but a TV crashing down becomes an expensive disaster—or worse. The difference between a secure installation and a dangerous one comes down to three things: finding the studs behind your drywall, using the right hardware for your TV's actual weight, and running your cables safely so they don't short out or get pinched. This guide walks you through the proper method so your TV stays exactly where you put it, year after year. Done right, a wall mount feels like it was always part of the wall.

1. Know Your TV's True Weight. Flip your TV or check the manual to find its exact weight in pounds. Write this number down—you'll use it to select a mount. Also locate the VESA pattern, which is the distance in millimeters between the four mounting holes on the back of your TV. It's usually printed as something like 100x100 or 400x400. Take a photo of this information with your phone so you have it at the store.
2. Buy the Right Mount First. Go to the hardware store with your TV's weight and VESA pattern. Select a mount that is rated for at least 10 pounds heavier than your TV actually weighs. Check that the VESA pattern on the mount bracket matches your TV's holes. Full-motion mounts (articulating arms) are heavier and require more robust installation than fixed or tilting mounts. For bedroom walls, a fixed or tilting mount is usually fine unless you want to adjust the viewing angle.
3. Locate Your Studs Precisely. Turn on an electronic stud finder and calibrate it by pressing it flat against the wall away from any studs. Slowly slide it across the wall horizontally at the height where you want to mount the TV. When it detects a stud, it will beep and light up. Mark the center of the stud with a pencil. Continue sliding to find the next stud (usually 16 inches away). Mark at least two adjacent studs so you have options for mounting.
4. Mark Eye-Level Height. Stand at eye level from your usual sitting spot. The center of the TV screen should be at eye height when you're seated comfortably. Most installers aim for 60 inches from the floor to the center of the TV. Measure and mark this height on the wall, centered between your two studs. Use a level to draw a light horizontal line across both studs at this height.
5. Drill Into Solid Wood. Align your mounting bracket against the stud, centered on your height line. Use a pencil to mark through the bracket's bolt holes directly onto the drywall. Remove the bracket. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than your lag bolt diameter, drill straight into each marked hole. The bit should go through the drywall and 2 to 3 inches into the wooden stud behind it. Do not use drywall anchors; you need to go into solid wood.
6. Secure the Bracket Flush. Insert lag bolts (also called lag screws—typically ⅜-inch or ½-inch bolts, 3 to 4 inches long) into each pilot hole. Use a socket wrench or adjustable wrench to tighten them slowly and evenly. Tighten all bolts in a cross pattern (top-left, bottom-right, top-right, bottom-left) so the bracket seats flush against the wall and doesn't tilt. The bracket should not move at all when you push on it with moderate force.
7. Attach the Mounting Arms. Most TV mounts come in two pieces: the bracket that bolts to the wall, and the arms that attach to the TV. Bolt the arms to the wall bracket according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is usually done with smaller bolts and happens before the TV is on the wall. Make sure every bolt is tight.
8. Install the TV Plate. Lay the TV face-down on a soft blanket or towel on a bed or large table. Locate the four VESA mounting holes on the back of the TV. Screw the threaded posts or mounting plate that came with your mount into these holes. Do not force them; they should go in smoothly. The mounting plate should sit flush against the TV's mounting surface.
9. Hoist and Secure the TV. With one person on each side of the TV, carefully lift it and align the mounting plate holes with the bolts on the wall-mounted arms. Slide the TV onto the bolts or slide the bracket arms into the slots on the TV's mounting plate (the exact method depends on your mount design). Once aligned, hand-tighten all bolts, then use a socket wrench to snug them firmly. Do not over-tighten; you'll damage the TV or the bracket.
10. Conceal and Protect Cords. Route the power cord and all HDMI, ethernet, or antenna cables behind the TV and down the wall. Do not let cables hang loose or pinch against the back of the TV. Thread them through adhesive-backed cable conduit (plastic or fabric tubing that sticks to the wall). Run conduit from behind the TV down to a baseboard outlet or cable box location. Secure the conduit every 12 to 18 inches with clips or additional adhesive. This hides cables and prevents them from being crushed if the TV is adjusted.
11. Verify Stability Before Finishing. Push on all sides of the TV—top, bottom, left, and right—with moderate force. It should not move, twist, or feel loose. Plug in the power cable and connect all signal cables to the TV. Turn the TV on and verify that picture and sound work. Check that the TV picture is level using the bubble level if your mount allows tilt adjustment.
12. Finish Like a Pro. Install a cover plate, trim ring, or decorative shroud around the wall bracket to hide it behind the TV. Paint any visible conduit to match your wall, or cover it with cord covers that match your décor. Do not use wall anchors or try to push cables into solid drywall without conduit; damage to cables creates fire hazards.