TV Mount Height & Viewing Distance Calculator
Find mount height & distance
TV mount height and viewing distance: quick guide
This calculator gives a clean starting point for TV mount height and viewing distance so your living room looks sharp and feels comfortable. Enter the diagonal screen size, your seated eye level, display resolution, and any downward tilt. The tool returns an ideal TV center height, an estimated VESA hole height from the floor, and a viewing distance range based on cinema angles and pixel clarity. It works for flat mounts, tilt mounts, and low-profile brackets in apartments, bedrooms, and media rooms.
For a natural posture, most people prefer the TV center near eye level with a slight downward gaze. If the TV is higher, a gentle tilt can bring the screen back into a comfortable line of sight. The distance range comes from common home theater angles (about thirty to mid-thirty degrees) blended with resolution limits so pixels remain invisible on 1080p and crisp on 4K and 8K. Use the center height to mark your wall, then translate the result to the mount’s VESA hole height using the offset field if your TV’s mounting holes sit below or above the screen center.
Measure seated eye level from the floor to the center of your pupils while sitting in your usual spot. Confirm the diagonal size on the TV box or settings. If you use an articulating arm or plan to swivel, keep cables slack and add a little extra distance within the suggested range. Mount to studs, choose proper anchors for masonry, and follow the manufacturer’s weight limits for safety and code compliance.
How the TV mount height and distance are calculated
The model assumes a 16:9 screen. From the diagonal, the tool derives screen width and height. Viewing distance blends two ideas: a cinema angle target and a resolution-based minimum. The angle target corresponds to a comfortable horizontal field (about thirty to mid-thirty degrees). That yields a distance near 1.34 to 1.63 times the diagonal. The resolution minimum prevents visible pixels: roughly 1.6–2.5× diagonal for 1080p, about 1.0–1.5× for 4K, and around 0.7–1.2× for 8K. The calculator intersects these bands to recommend a practical range for sofa placement.
For mount height, the tool aims the screen center close to your eye level. With no tilt, center near eye height is typically most comfortable. With downward tilt, the comfortable vertical viewing angle shifts, so the suggested center may sit a little higher to keep your neck neutral. Finally, VESA hole height is estimated by adding your chosen offset to the computed center height. Use a tape measure and a level to transfer these marks to the wall.
TV mounting FAQs
What eye level should I use?
Use your usual seated position on the main sofa or chair. Measure from the floor to the center of your eyes. For multi-row seating, choose the primary row.
Do I need to include tilt?
If the TV will sit above eye level, a small downward tilt can improve comfort. If the TV center is already near eye level, set tilt to zero.
Is the VESA offset required?
Most TVs place the VESA pattern near the screen center. If your holes are lower or higher than center, enter the difference so the hole height from the floor is correct.
Can I use this for projectors?
No. Projectors and screens have different geometry and lens offsets. This tool focuses on TV mounts.
Is this a building code tool?
No. It is an educational layout calculator. Always follow the mount instructions, load ratings, and local building rules.