Mounting your TV at the right height is more important than you think. It's not just about seeing the picture; it's about creating a comfortable and immersive viewing experience. Many people don't realize this until they feel the difference for themselves.
Getting the perfect height for your TV depends on several factors, like how far you sit from the screen, your eye level, and whether you prefer a certain tilt. These elements work together to make watching TV enjoyable and less stressful.
You'll see a significant improvement when you mount your TV at just the right height. The colors will pop, details will be sharper, and watching TV will be much more enjoyable overall.
Why the right TV height matters
Mounting your TV at the correct height is vital to prevent neck strain and ensure optimal picture quality. Research shows that if the TV is too high, viewers may find themselves craning their necks, while a TV mounted too low can hinder visibility.
The goal is to position the center of the screen at the same eye level when seated, as our experience and various experts in the field recommended.[1]
In some cases, mounting the TV slightly higher within a comfortable tilt angle of 10° to 20°[2] can be beneficial, allowing you to rest your back against the sofa while watching and helping reduce screen glare.
Ideal TV height formula
To find an optimal mounting height for your TV, use the following formula:
TVH = EH + VD x tan(∝)
Where:
TVHis the optimal TV Height.EHis your Eye Level Height.VDis the Viewing Distance between your eye and the TV. Use our TV distance calculator to help you find an ideal distance.∝is the tilt or recline angle.
The vertical angle ∝ is zero if you prefer sitting up straight while watching TV. In this case, the ideal TV height should match your eye height from the ground.
TVH = EH
This means if you are sitting on a couch with your eye level at 42", you should position the center of your TV screen at the same height of 42" from the floor.
You can now determine the optimal height for positioning the center of the TV screen above the floor. The following section will explain how to calculate the height from the bottom edge of the TV to the floor.
Find the TV bottom's height
You already know the height from the center of the TV to the floor. To find the height of the bottom edge of the TV from the floor, subtract half of the TV's vertical length from the total height.
TVHb = TVH - TVV/2
Where
TVHbis the height of the bottom edge of the TV off the floor.TVHis the height of the center of the TV screen above the ground.TVVis the vertical length of the TV.
Finding the TV's vertical length
To find the vertical length of the TV, you can use the following formula, as we have detailed in our screen size calculator.
height = AR_height * (diagonal / √(AR_width2 + AR_height2))
Since most TV has a 16:9 aspect ratio, we can have a more straightforward formula as follows:
height ≈ diagonal * 0.49
So, if you have an 80" TV, the vertical length of the TV can be calculated as below:
height ≈ 80" * 0.49 ≈ 39.2"
Ideal TV height for eye-level alignment
The table below shows an optimal mounting height from the floor to the bottom edge of the TV, assuming your eye level is around 42" (1.07 m) above the ground while sitting.
| TV Size | TV Bottom Height (in) | TV Bottom Height (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 32" | 32.16" | 0.87 m |
| 40" | 32.19" | 0.82 m |
| 43" | 32.46" | 0.80 m |
| 50" | 29.74" | 0.76 m |
| 55" | 28.52" | 0.72 m |
| 60" | 27.29" | 0.69 m |
| 65" | 26.07" | 0.66 m |
| 70" | 24.84" | 0.63 m |
| 75" | 23.62" | 0.60 m |
| 80" | 22.39" | 0.57 m |
| 85" | 21.16" | 0.54 m |
| 98" | 17.98" | 0.46 m |
The example below shows how we calculate an ideal mounting height for any TV size.
Example 1: Calculating an ideal mounting height for a 65" TV with an eye level of 42".
To find a perfect height to position the bottom edge of the TV, use the following formula:
Hb = Hc - Htv/2
Where the Hc is 42" when you align your eye level to the center of the TV screen. While you can find the value of Htv using the formula we've shown earlier for a standard 16:9 HDTV.
Htv ≈ 65" * 0.49 ≈ 31.85"
Therefore, the Hb equals:
Hb ≈ 42" - 31.85"/2 ≈ 42" - 15.925" ≈ 26.075"
Alternatively, you can use our calculator to get the same or more precise result.
Ideal TV height for 10° tilting angle
The table below shows an optimal mounting height from the floor to the bottom of the TV, assuming your eye level is around 42" (1.07 m) above the ground while sitting with a 10° vertical viewing angle.
| TV Size | 10° Mounting Height (in) | 10° Mounting Height (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 32" | 43.33" | 1.10 m |
| 40" | 43.67" | 1.11 m |
| 43" | 43.79" | 1.11 m |
| 50" | 44.08" | 1.12 m |
| 55" | 44.29" | 1.12 m |
| 60" | 44.50" | 1.13 m |
| 65" | 44.71" | 1.14 m |
| 70" | 44.92" | 1.14 m |
| 75" | 45.12" | 1.15 m |
| 80" | 45.33" | 1.15 m |
| 85" | 45.54" | 1.16 m |
| 98" | 46.08" | 1.17 m |
10° tilting angle for optimal experience.You now know how to determine the ideal mounting height for your TV to enhance your viewing experience. You can quickly use our calculator to find the perfect mounting height to save time for future calculations.
