Best Viewing Distance for TV – A Complete Guide

The best viewing distance for TV depends on the area and space that we have available inside the house or in a certain room, be it the living room, the kitchen or the bedroom. 

Today we have the possibility of watching a large number of television channels and programs in our homes, so it is an activity that we do almost constantly and for long periods of time.

According to some statistics, more than 85% of people watch TV 5-6 days a week. In other words, this is a recurring activity of spending a lot of time sitting, in a certain position, and therefore, great care must be taken in the way we watch TV and the distance to watch TV from our homes.

Distance Tables for Watching TV

Next, we present several distance tables to watch TV , some of them offered by the television manufacturer, where the optimal distances depending on the dimensions and size of the screen are appreciated. 

In this way, you will be able to have information to draw your own conclusions about the distance to watch TV.

How to Calculate Distance Between TV and Sofa

Distance Tables for Watching TV and Movies

Ideal Distance to Watch TV

Next we see a table with the minimum and maximum distances (in meters) to sit down to watch a TV according to different sizes in inches. This is done following the recommendation of the SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) .

Recommendations according to SOCIETY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ENGINEERS

Recommendations according to SOUND AND IMAGE

More Details about Distance to Watch TV. What factors Influence?

In this sense, it could define the size of the television that we should buy, as well as the resolution and technology that the screen should have. Knowing the distance to watch TV properly is one of the parameters that affect achieving good functionality in some spaces in our home.

At the same time, if we want to renovate the room, which possibly includes changing the television, choosing the right size for our Smart TV (and its screen) is one of the aspects to study. 

There is no doubt that buying a new TV may be one of the decisions that brings us the most pleasure. Having a new (and smart) Smart TV is something that excites us.

Without leaving the main analysis and knowing the distance to watch TV, choosing the right size TV to place it in the living room or bedroom is almost the same (but not the same) as choosing where we are going to sit in the cinema. (remember?).

In a cinema, we always look for a place towards the center, or we look for a point of view that allows us a right viewing angle, with respect to the screen. Likewise, we look for a site that is neither far nor close to the screen . 

Although it is not necessary, from a psychological point of view, it makes us feel that we have the best view within the space (the cinema) and this affects how we see what is projected on the screen.

Now, inside the house, this factor of the distance to the television screen and the angle of vision, take on even greater force and importance, since the space is smaller, and there are fewer options to choose our seat.

It’s not just about the size of the TV screen and the distance to watch TV. How we see the TV screen is also how we perceive it. 

In this way, it is not only an arithmetic rule, how many meters we are separated from the television, but also, the relationship that there must be between the distance to the TV and the size of the screen, the viewing angle with respect to the screen, where natural light enters the space where the television is located, the color of the walls and the quantity and characteristics of the decoration of the interior space. 

It must also be said that personal tastes and customs influence.

So we have many factors influencing how we see the TV screen and our favorite series.

How is the Screen of a Television?

Currently there are 3 types of television screens (the best sellers), those that work with LCD technology, LED technology and those that work with plasma technology .

Television Screen Technology

Televisions with LCD and LED Technology

Televisions with LCD technology work on the basis of liquid crystals that are placed between two layers of polarized crystals. Each pixel on the screen includes liquid crystal molecules , which is a special material that has characteristics of both a solid and a liquid. 

Its operation is based on this. So, televisions with LCD technology, the viewing angle with respect to the screen should not be wide, since the screen would begin to reflect outside light, losing the quality with which we see it.

LCD and LED televisions are based on the same technology to illuminate the cells, with the difference in   their  backlighting system and energy savings. LED TVs should not be confused with LED TVs. The latter are of more recent technology and of higher quality.

In LED screen televisions , the same image is made up of different and small LED bulbs. That is not the case with LED TVs. In led televisions, the LEDs are responsible for the backlighting of the television panel, in the same way that fluorescent tubes did so far in  classic LCD televisions.

LED televisions generate images more stable, creating better levels of dynamic contrast and of loscolres, and with an energy saving of 40% in relation to LCD technology.

TVs with Plasma Technology

On the other hand, in a plasma screen television, the cells (which make up pixels) are made up of light-emitting noble gases, (hence its name), and thus, the gases, when transformed into plasma, generate light. 

This light that finally generates the images on the screen, does not generate as much brightness, allowing deeper and higher quality images, making plasma technology generate better quality levels when projecting images on the screen.

Plasma images offer  less saturated colors and the possibility of a wider viewing angle than LED or LCD displays, since the screen tends to be less glossy. 

In addition, in this type of plasma television, a higher level of contrast and depth is offered since each of the pixels generates its own light, achieving more stable and fluid images.

All these aspects, in terms of technology to broadcast the images on the screen, influence the distance to watch TV.

Screen Size and Resolution of a TV

The size of the screen is calculated as its diagonal, so a 55″ TV will have a diagonal length of 55 inches.

The other aspect to analyze is the screen resolution. Two numbers are used to indicate the number of pixels, such as 1,920 x 1,080. 

Screen resolution is the number of pixels on the entire screen, with settings being 1,280 x 720 (HD) , 1,920 x 1,080 (FHD) , 2,560 x 1,440 (QHD) , and 3,840 x 2,160 (UHD or 4K) the most widely used, although some 8K televisions with 7680×4320 pixels are already on the market.

The higher the resolution, the higher the quality of the image that we will see and the closer to the television screen we will be able to sit, without seeing the little squares of the pixels. 

Screen size and resolution affect the distance at which we should sit from the television. A higher screen resolution offers better image quality, and therefore, would allow greater variability when sitting in a certain place in front of the television.

Shape of a TV Screen

There is no doubt that curved screen televisions offer advantages and improvements in relation to flat screen televisions. The curved screen makes the peripheral vision also participate in the visualization of the images, so we will have a more immersive vision of what we are seeing. Experience and depth of vision are enhanced. 

On the other hand, since the screen is curved, the field of vision is wider, the possibilities of glare or reflection on the screen are less.

By placing ourselves at the optimal point in front of the screen, the “Sweet Spot” effect is produced, where the immersive experience is greater, having more pleasant sensations.

At what Height should the TV Be?

Research suggests that the television screen should be positioned with the top edge of the (television) screen remaining 10 to 15 centimeters slightly above the viewer’s horizontal eye height. In this way, to watch television, we must have the head in a straight position in front and slightly downwards.

The TV screen should be placed in such a way that more than half of its area (more than 70% of the screen area) is below the horizontal line of our sight, or forming an angle of approximately 20 to 25 degrees towards bottom.

Eye Rotation Angles for Sitting Television Watching

By placing the television at the aforementioned height, we guarantee greater comfort when we look at the television screen, reducing visual and general body fatigue, since our gaze will always be in a natural direction, slightly downwards.

It should be noted that the larger the television screen, then the lower the TV should be placed, to maintain an adequate and comfortable viewing angle.

Research is based on the fact that human eyesight is designed to look straight ahead and down, since ancient times, when Homosapien and Homoerectus learned to walk on two feet. 

Since those times, the shape of the body has been adapting to perform forward and downward vision and we have carried it in our DNA since we were born.

Then, it is convenient to place the TV at a low height, on low furniture that facilitates our vision, in a comfortable and relaxed way and slightly downwards, looking from the sofa.

From all these important aspects, it is easier to get an idea of ​​​​the distance between the TV and the sofa. Technology greatly influences when it comes to appreciating more details, making the distance to the television less important (although it continues to tend), watching our favorite television programs .

How should you Watch TV?

In the case of television screens, the size does matter and the resolution of the screen also has great importance in the quality of the image that we see.

You already know that the images on the screen are made up of small points of light or pixels and, the higher the resolution of this, the greater their number at the same screen size. This is why the density of these points will also increase and therefore their level of detail, which will allow you to get closer without losing sharpness.

What is the Correct Position to Watch Television

What is the best Position to Watch TV

It is very important to know which is the best position to watch TV, since there are several parameters to take into account. Speaking of numbers, it is accepted that between 30 and 40 degrees of horizontal inclination with respect to the screen, you have a good viewing angle.

In distance, about 80 centimeters of screen size can be seen well at the distance of 1 to 1.5 meters. So if you’re 10 feet away from the screen, this TV screen could be 60 inches in size, perfectly. They are general rules, to have an approach to the problem.

It must also be kept in mind, if the person watching TV has any difficulty in their vision, such as high sensitivity to light, the first thing they should do is ask the specialist doctor what type of television they should have, as well as their screen technology.

How to Watch TV in Bed

Many experts recommend an  upright posture, where the trunk of the body is straight and never slouches, as well as the neck and cervical spine must be kept in the same straight line as the back, avoiding lying completely on the bed. In this way, the vertical column will not be forced.

If you watch TV in bed in the wrong position, it can cause damage to yourself that can cause pain. Below are some recommendations so that you can continue enjoying this activity, without affecting your body.

Mistakes when Watching TV in Bed

Mistakes we make watching TV in bed put stress on the lower and upper back and can cause back pain and neck pain.

One of the most common mistakes is the lack of support in the lower back and neck. For example, when you sit but slouch and leave an empty space between the wall and your lower back, you will put pressure on your lower back.

Also, if you lie down all the way, without letting your back rise a bit, you have to strain and bend your neck, and this can also hurt your neck. Let’s see which one

How to Watch TV in Bed

Now let’s see what is the distance from TV to bed . The television should be in front of the bed, the more to the center the better, as it will avoid having to rotate the neck and sight in the horizontal direction.

As for the vertical tilt, you should also have the possibility to tilt the screen so that it is perpendicular to the view of the person lying in bed. Before you must have thought and settled in bed, to choose your ideal height, how to watch TV in bed.

The distance from the TV to the bed could already be defined by the position of the wall where you will place the support for the TV. However, there should be a distance from the TV to the bed of approximately 2.5 to 3 meters.

Recommended Height for Watching TV in the Bedroom

The ideal is to place the TV on a support fixed to the front wall of the bed.

If you have not yet bought the new TV to watch it from the bedroom, lying in bed, then you can choose the appropriate size for this, which would be in the order of 50″ to 65″ inches, depending on the aforementioned distance.

It is recommended that the height of the TV be around 2 meters, such that it forms an angle of 30 to 35 degrees between the line of sight with respect to the horizontal. At the same time the screen will be tilted and perpendicular to the view.

If you are one of those who falls asleep watching TV, you can use the timer so that it turns off at the time you indicate and you can sleep without interruptions.

How to Accommodate the Pillows to watch TV?

Pillows for watching TV in bed should be placed so that they occupy all the space behind the back and neck, so the whole body will lie down and rest on the bed and pillows, without having to make efforts. Pillows should be adjusted so that the head is perpedicular to the television screen.

In electronic stores there are pillows made with shredded foam, which allows better airflow, with greater flexibility to ensure that it can be adjusted according to each person.

Differentes Positions and Distances for Television Watching

Let’s analyze at what distance you should watch the TV. It is clear that it is not good to sit so close or so far from the TV screen. 

For a person with optimal visual acuity of 20 / 20, and with respect to a high-definition HD television, the ideal distance should be 2.5 times the size or diagonal of the screen and with a viewing angle no greater than 30 degrees. This is what most TV manufacturers recommend.

Ideal distance to Watch TV

The optimal distance from the sofa to the television should not allow the points or pixels to be seen on the screen .

Distance from TV to Sofa

According to some studies, the distances that are recommended for watching TV are the following:

Viewing distance from TV to sofa

Distance to watch 32 inches TV

• Distance to watch the TV of 32 inches,……….2 meters.

Distance to watch 43 inches TV

• Distance to watch the 43-inch TV………. 2.5 meters.

Distance to watch 48 inches TV

• Distance to watch the 48-inch TV………. 2.8 meters.

Greater distances would be even more recommended, as long as we can see the content on the screen well, since in this way we protect our eyes from the brightness that the screen can transmit.

According to investigations carried out by the  SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers , founded in 1916 as the Society of Motion Picture Engineers or Global Professional Association of Engineers, Technologists and Executives working in the media and entertainment industry), the minimum distance for viewing TV should be at least twice the width of the TV,  and that the  maximum distance should not be more than five times the width of the TV.

Regarding the minimum distance, it will also depend on the resolution of the television screen, because if our television does not have enough resolution, each point or pixel could be appreciated, perceiving a lower quality image.

As technology advances, these measures or general rules may be without correct effect. For example, the new Ultra HD definition allows for a higher number of pixels per inch. This increase in pixel density in the same area or size of TV, allows us to see the image from closer without our eye noticing each point or pixel.

In the same sense, with plasma screens, reducing screen brightness and improving sharpness makes it possible to sit in a wider range of points, without losing quality in the images that reach us through the TV screen. .

Other Distances to Watch Full HD TV

For a 55-inch TV screen, with Full HD resolution ( 1,920 x 1,080 ), the distance to watch TV optimally would be 2 meters. The same television but with 4K resolution ( 3,840 x 2,160 ) could be watched from a distance of 1m perfectly. The higher the resolution, the closer we can get to the screen.

If necessary, you should ask the specialist for advice to avoid visual fatigue, take care of your posture when sitting and the lighting conditions that the room should have.

You may also be interested in 25 IDEAS TO PLACE TV ON THE WALL.