How High should I Mount my TV?
Short Answer: You should be at eye-level between the center to the bottom 1/3 of your TV screen from your viewing position for most comfortable viewing and best cinematic experience.
But there are several other things to consider. It depends on your unique situation, where you intend to setup your TV, amount of area you’re given and obstructions that cannot be avoided around the TV.
This article is not about giving you a fixed answer because every situation is unique. It’s more of a guidance which focuses on what you should take into consideration to achieve the best TV viewing height & distance, aesthetics and other factors that you just cannot ignore.
Aesthetics vs. Functionality
Based on our experience with our clients, two ultimate decision making factors are; Aesthetics (Hanging TV high as if it’s a picture frame) vs. Functionality (Viewing at eye-level comfortably).
Many people think that TV will look too low on the wall if it’s mounted at eye level from their normal seated position. But you shouldn’t mount your TV too high like it’s a picture frame! (unless you intentionally bought the TV to display photos most of the time such as Samsung’s Frame TV).
Unlike a picture frame, TV screen is something you stare at for hours if you’re watching a movie or a football game. So, if your TV is mounted too high and watch it for long period of time, you’ll most likely experience some discomfort or pain in your neck.
Your Favorite Seat in a Movie Theater
Ask yourself – Where do you like to sit when you go to a movie theater for best viewing experience? If you answered ‘Middle Row & Center’ where your eye level is at the center of the screen, then you will definitely appreciate having the TV mounted at eye level so you can watch TV comfortably.
Have you ever been to a movie theater on a release date of a very popular movie and had to sit in the front row seat because rest of the seats are taken?
That’s probably because most people find it very uncomfortable to watch with their head tilted back. So you should keep that in mind before pulling the trigger and deciding to mount your TV too high.
Optimal TV height & viewing distance
| TV Screen Size (Diagnal) | TV Height (Floor to Center of the Screen) | 4K & 8K TV Viewing Distance | 1080p TV Viewing Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50" TV | 43" ~ 50" | 36.75" ~ 61.25" | 73.5" ~ 98" |
| 55" TV | 43" ~ 51" | 40.5" ~ 67.5" | 81" ~ 108" |
| 60" TV | 43" ~ 52.5" | 44.1" ~ 73.5" | 88.2" ~ 117.6" |
| 65" TV | 43" ~ 53.5" | 47.85" ~ 79.25" | 95.7" ~ 127.6" |
| 70" TV | 43" ~ 55" | 51.45" ~ 85.75" | 102.9" ~ 137.2" |
| 75" TV | 43" ~ 56.5" | 55.2" ~ 92" | 110.4" ~ 147.2" |
| 80" TV | 43" ~ 57.5" | 58.8" ~ 98" | 117.6" ~ 156.8" |
| 85" TV | 43" ~ 58.5" | 62.55" ~ 104.25" | 125.1" ~ 166.8" |
| 90" TV | 43" ~ 60" | 66.18" ~ 110.3" | 132.36" ~ 176.48" |
*Viewing distance above is calculated with following formula;
- 4K / 8K TV Minimum distance @ 1.5 x height of TV screen
- 4K / 8K TV Optimum distance @ 2.5 x height of TV screen
- 1080p TV Minimum distance @ 3 x height of TV screen
- 1080p TV Maximum distance @ 4 x height of TV screen
The chart above is helpful to determine the optimal TV height & viewing distance based on the screen size & resolution of your TV. This is a good starting point but continue reading for explanations below;
TV Height from floor to the center of the screen
You may have noticed that the minimum TV height from floor to center of the screen is the same across all different size televisions. That’s because 43″ from the floor is about the average height of most people’s eye level when you’re sitting down in your couch.
Maximum TV height should be determined by the size of the screen so your eye level is still within the bottom 1/3 portion of the TV screen. If you choose to mount your TV any higher than this, then it’ll start to get more uncomfortable the higher your go.
But when it comes to choosing the right height, it should actually depend on your viewing position instead of just going by the chart above. Golden rule is to be able to watch TV comfortably without having to tilt your head. So, you just have to find that sweet spot based on where you’re going to be watching the TV from.
For example, your couch might be lower or higher than others. Or you might recline back in your comfy recliner chair which makes you look up naturally. Or you might be watching from your bed instead. Or you might have a fireplace with a huge mantle underneath the TV. So, we recommend choosing according to your viewing position (e.g. sitting up straight, reclining back or lying down completely).
4K, 8K & 1080p TV Viewing Distance
According to Sony’s website, they recommend that 4K & 8K televisions should be viewed from minimum 1.5 times the vertical screen size of your TV.
For 1080p televisions, Sony recommends 3 times the vertical screen size of your TV as the minimum distance.
Their minimum distance recommendations are based on being able to watch the television with as much sharp details as possible without seeing individual pixels for most viewers.
In case you didn’t know, 4K TV has twice the resolution of 1080p TV & 8K TV has twice the resolution of 4K TV.
- 8K TV Resolution: 7680 (H) x 4320 (V) pixels
- 4K TV Resolution: 3840 (H) x 2160 (V) pixels
- 1080p TV Resolution: 1920 (H) x 1080 (V) pixels
Theoretically, you might think – if 4K TV should be viewed from minimum 1.5 times vertical screen size & 1080p TV being 3 times, then 8K TV should be at 0.75 times to see the best resolution without seeing the pixels.
Well, not necessarily. You still need to keep a minimum distance for optimal field of view. Sweet spot is between 30 ~ 40 degrees of field of view. So, if you have a 4K or 8K TV, we suggest that you stick to the higher number in the chart for the optimal distance instead of going with minimal distance for best results.
Objects Underneath the TV
One of the most common TV setups includes having a component stand / entertainment unit sitting below the TV to facilitate components such as cable box, game consoles, modem/router, etc…
If you haven’t purchased a component stand yet, then you should also consider the height of the component stand itself as well. Because they do come in different shapes & sizes and some of the taller ones will make your TV end up higher than you might like.
If you have a Soundbar or a home theater speaker, you have to take that into the total height equation as well, as it also takes up room below the TV (unless you plan to have it mounted above the TV instead).
Living Room vs Bedroom
Unlike in a living room where you should have your TV mounted at eye level, watching TV in your bedroom could be quite different. It depends on how you position yourself when watching from the bed.
If you like to lie down completely then you should have the TV mounted pretty high because you will be looking up naturally when lying down. But if you like to have your back against the headboard, then you might want to have the TV closer to your eye level.
If you think you’ll likely change positions from time to time, going from lying down to sitting up then you should have the TV mounted somewhere in the middle between eye-level to up-high.
Mounting TV over Fireplace – Effects on Viewing Angle & Aesthetics
Having a fireplace underneath the TV… It’s a love or hate thing. Some people love to have their TV mounted above a fireplace so it looks nice and cozy in the room. But some people just hate the idea of it because the TV will be way too high. Well, they’re both valid points.
But sometimes you just don’t have much choice because of lack of options available due to the layout of the room & spaces that windows take on the walls.
For whatever reason, if you plan to install your TV over a fireplace, you should keep the bottom of your TV only few inches above from the top of your mantle if possible. Because it’s already too high to begin with when you mount your TV over a fireplace.
In order to compensate for watching TV mounted high, viewing from further distance can help to relieve some strain on your neck if you have the room to push your couch back further away from the TV.
FAQs
What is the optimum height for a wall mounted TV? ›
Experts recommend that the middle of your TV should be at eye-level while seated. This equates to about 42 inches from the floor to the center of your TV. As with other things, you'll find that there is a general rule that can be applied to most, but not all, situations.
How far should a 65 inch TV be mounted? ›A 65'' TV– You should sit between 8 and 13.5 feet away from the screen. A 70'' TV– You should sit between 9 and 14.5 feet away from the screen. A 75'' TV– You should sit between 9.5 and 15.5 feet away from the screen. An 80'' TV– You should sit between 10 and 16.5 feet away from the screen.
How high should a 55 inch TV be mounted on the wall? ›For the best viewing experience, the middle of your TV should be at eye-level, which is usually around 42 inches high. This means a 55-inch TV should typically be mounted about 28.5 inches from the floor to the bottom of the TV.
How high should a 60 inch TV be mounted? ›For a 60 inch TV, this means you will probably want the TV installed with the bottom of the screen at about 26 inches off the ground4 .
How do you know if a TV is too big for a wall? ›A TV is too big for a room when it takes up more than 30 degrees of your view from the sitting area. A TV is too big for a room if you can't comfortably sit the ideal distance away from it. For example, a 55-inch or 75-inch 1080p TV isn't too big for a room if you can sit at least six to eight feet away.
What size TV do I need for 10 feet away? ›For example, if you usually sit 10 feet from the TV, that's 120 inches (10 feet x 12 inches). The screen size for you is 60 inches (and remember, that's the diagonal measurement of the screen).
What size TV for 12 feet away? ›For example, if you are customarily watching from approximately 12 feet away—or 144 inches—you want a screen that measures at least 72 inches diagonally. Bear in mind that the most common TV sizes are 42, 50, 55, 65, and 75-inches (measured diagonal).
How high should a 70 inch TV be mounted? ›A 70” TV should be around 67 inches from the floor to the center of the TV screen.
Can a TV be mounted too high? ›Don't mount your TV too high
A TV at the correct height is going to look really low when you're standing. Which is fine, since most of the time you won't be standing when you're watching it. Mounting a TV too high can literally be a pain in the neck.
| TV size | Viewing distance range (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 49 inch | 75 inches (6.23 feet) |
| 50 inch | 75 inches (6.25 feet) |
| 55 inch | 83 inches (6.92 feet) |
| 60 inch | 90 inches (7.55 feet) |
Is a 55 inch TV too big for my living room? ›
Is a 55-inch TV big enough? It depends on your room size, seating distance and personal taste. For a standard master bedroom or smaller living room a 55-inch TV is fine, but for larger rooms we recommend a larger TV, say a 65- or even 75-inch model, if you can afford it.
How far should you sit from a 64 inch TV? ›Ideal TV Viewing Distance and Position
Some eye care professionals recommend sitting approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the TV screen. The general rule of thumb is to be at least five times the distance from the screen as the screen is wide.
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Field of View.
| Screen Size | Recommended Mixed Usage Distance (30°) | Recommended Cinema Distance (40°) |
|---|---|---|
| 55" | 7.5' (2.28 m) | 5.5' (1.68 m) |
| 60" | 8.2' (2.48 m) | 6' (1.83 m) |
| 65" | 8.9' (2.69 m) | 6.5' (1.98 m) |
| 70" | 9.5' (2.9 m) | 7' (2.13 m) |
Select a screen measuring 42 to 49 inches if the viewing distance is 10 to 14 feet. Fifty to 59 inches is appropriate if the viewing distance is 12 to 16 feet. If the viewing distance is greater than 16 feet, choose a screen that is 60 inches or larger.
How far should I sit from 75 inch TV? ›Recommended viewing distance for your TV
To get this suitable distance, multiply the screen size by 1.2. So for a 75 inch TV, that means sitting 90 inches, or 2.3 meters away.
In general, TVs smaller than 32 inches are ideal for a bedroom or kitchen. TVs between 32 and 65 inches are more suitable for the living room. And if you are looking to create a home cinema, screens of 60 inches upwards are the ideal choice.
How big should my TV be if I sit 7 feet away? ›Based on our calculations, if your couch is between six and seven feet from where you plan to place your TV, a screen of around 55 inches is a loose minimum. If your couch is seven to eight feet away, you can comfortably move up to a 65-inch TV.
What size TV if I sit 9 feet away? ›| Viewing Distance | TV Size |
|---|---|
| 7 Feet (2.13 Meters) | 50 Inches |
| 8 Feet (2.44 Meters) | 55 to 60 Inches |
| 9 Feet (2.74 Meters) | 65 Inches |
| 10 Feet (3 Meters) | 70 to 75 Inches |
For a bedroom which has the 10×10 size, a 40 to 55-inch TV is ideal for watching. It is better to purchase a TV with a higher TV resolution. If the size of the TV is 42 inches and the resolution is also 42 inches then the viewing position should be 84 inches.
How far should I sit from TV to sofa? ›2.75 x Screen Size: Place your sofa at a distance of 2.75 inches away for each inch of diagonal screen size. (From IKEA) This formula puts my sofa at 82.5 inches from my TV – much closer to what feels comfortable and not claustrophobic, but still much closer than the actual current distance.
What size TV is best for a 12x12 room? ›
Bedrooms that have dimensions of 10 x 10, 10 x 11, 11 x 12, or 12 x 12 can accommodate 40 to 55-inch TVs very well.
Can a TV look too big in a room? ›A TV is too big for a room when it takes up more than 30 degrees of your view from the sitting area. A TV is too big for a room if you can't comfortably sit the ideal distance away from it. For example, a 55-inch or 75-inch 1080p TV isn't too big for a room if you can sit at least six to eight feet away.
How high should a 75 inch TV be mounted on a wall? ›To get the best viewing experience, you want the middle of your TV to be at eye level, which is usually around 42 inches high. That means a 75-inch TV should typically be mounted about 24 inches from the floor to the bottom of the TV.
Can you mount a 75 inch TV on the wall? ›The answer to this is yes, you can mount your XL TV on the wall. Safety is paramount, of course. That's why it is always important to check whether the TV mounts used is TÜV certified.
Is a 70 inch TV too big to mount? ›70″ is recommended at almost 10 feet and 80″ and up even further. You start getting any bigger with your TV screen size and you might not have the space for your couch to go back far enough.
Why do Americans put their TV so high? ›Higher TVs are easier to use while standing (e.g., turning the TV on without the remote). Higher TVs leave room for cabinets, which must be at ground level to be usable. People like leaning back a bit on their couch, which moves their field of vision upwards.
What happens if TV is too big? ›Going too big can create a not-so-awesome viewing experience in a small room — sort of like sitting in the front row at the movie theater. And if it's not 4K, it might even look blurry up close.
How far should you sit from a 55 inch OLED TV? ›The guidelines from the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers recommend your TV screen makes up approximately 30° of your field of vision as a minimum. So, if you have a 55” OLED TV then you should sit around 2.3 metres away or for a 70” then the prime position is 3.6 metres away.
How far should you sit from a 120 inch TV? ›You should sit between 161 and 227 inches away from 120-inch screens, with 227 inches as the maximum and the minimum viewing distance of 161 inches.
What is most popular TV size for living room? ›The most popular living room TV sizes are 55- to 65-inch models, while TVs under 45 inches are often used as secondary televisions in bedrooms or offices. Most people have to decide whether they're going to buy a model that's slightly smaller or larger than their space can handle.
What is the most common living room TV size? ›
The most common TV size is 55 inches size for the family room or living room. This puts the optimal viewing distance in most households at around 7.5 feet, or 5.5 feet for those looking for a more theatrical experience.
What size TV unit do I need for a 55 inch TV? ›For example, if you have a 55″ TV and do not want any over hang on the TV console, you will want to get one that is at least 50″ wide. Measure your TV to get it's true width to be sure though. A rule of thumb for us here is to have about 3 inches from the edge of your TV to the edge of the TV stand.
Is a 75 inch TV too big for a living room? ›75-inch TV is not too big because you need to maintain a 6.5 to 9.5 feet minimum viewing distance from a 75-inch TV. It means you need to sit 6.5-9.5 feet distance from 75-inch TV. It provides you with better resolution and theatre-like immersion for a normal size living room.
How do I determine what size TV I need for my wall? ›To figure out the wall area or cabinet space your flat screen television will need, use a tape measure to determine the horizontal width, vertical height and depth from edge to edge, including the frame (bezel) around the screen.
How far apart are the feet on a 65 inch TV? ›| Inches | Leg Distance |
|---|---|
| 55 Inch TV | Legs are about 43 inches apart |
| 65 Inch TV | Legs are about 45 inches apart |
Home » Installations » TV Wall Mount » CAN A TV BE TOO HEAVY TO MOUNT ON A WALL? The general answer is NO. There are brackets for all TV sizes and weight. However, the wall that you are planning on mounting your TV on may not be strong enough to hold it.
Can you hang a 65 inch TV on the wall? ›Is it safe to mount your 65 inch, 77 inch or even 100 inch TV to the wall? The answer to this is yes, you can mount your XL TV on the wall. Safety is paramount, of course. That's why it is always important to check whether the TV mounts used is TÜV certified.
How far away can the TV be from the sofa? ›1.5 x Screen Size: Place your sofa at a distance of 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the screen. (Dr Dave and Dee) This also put my sofa about 4 feet away – different formula, similar result – and way too close!
What are the disadvantages of using a smart TV? ›- Software crashes when it needs updating.
- Insufficient processing power causes freezing or crashing apps.
- Input lag when pressing buttons.
- Not getting updates or software patches.
- Limited app features (some don't transfer over from desktop or browser versions).
So if you're like most people and you're sitting about nine feet from your TV (108 inches), THX recommends a screen roughly 90 inches diagonal. So yeah, that big 65-inch TV you're looking at is not "too big," at least as far as THX is concerned. Consider 55 inches the minimum screen size for most living rooms.