Ideal viewing distance for television

When installing your new TV, there are several things to consider. Which screen size fits best in your living room? And how do you determine the ideal distance between you and your 55, 65 or 75-inch TV? In this blog, we discuss what the ideal TV viewing distance is, depending on the size of your TV and its resolution.

Why the right TV viewing distance is important

Viewing distance refers to the space between you and your TV, for example the distance from your sofa. You need to fine-tune this carefully. If you sit too far, you won't be able to see the subtle details. If you sit too close to the screen, pixels will become visible. However, with a better TV like a 4K or 8K, you can sit closer than with a Full HD TV. The ideal viewing distance depends on a number of factors. Namely the picture diagonal, the placement of the TV and your personal preferences.

Setting the optimal viewing distance is important not only for the best visual experience, but also for your health. Sitting too close to the screen can lead to eyestrain, especially during long viewing sessions. Your eyes have to constantly adjust to fast movements and bright colours on the screen, causing fatigue. Moreover, the wrong sitting position can contribute to neck and shoulder pain and even cause headaches. Correctly adjusting your sitting distance can therefore prevent physical discomfort and ensure a healthier viewing experience.

The ideal viewing distance by TV size

The size of your TV also plays a very important role in determining the right viewing distance of your TV. The bigger the screen, the further you should sit from it for the optimal experience. The general rule of thumb is: the viewing distance should be 2.4 times the diagonal of your TV. Below is an overview of the viewing distance per TV inch for different screen sizes.

  • 32-inch TV: Viewing distance from 2 metres.
  • 40-inch TV: Viewing distance from 2.5 metres.
  • 50-inch TV: Viewing distance from 3 metres.
  • 55-inch TV: Viewing distance between 3.5 metres.
  • 65-inch TV: Viewing distance from 4 metres.