TV Mounting Height Calculator
How high to mount a TV: the screen-centre height for your seat, the bottom and top edges for 32″ to 100″ screens, the recommended viewing distance and the viewing angle if you mount it higher, in cm or inches.
How it works
screen height = diagonal × 9 ÷ √337, width = diagonal × 16 ÷ √337 (16:9) · centre height = seated eye height · bottom = centre − height ÷ 2 · recommended distance = width ÷ (2 tan 20°) (40° field of view) · viewing angle = atan((centre − eye height) ÷ distance)
The most comfortable position puts the middle of the screen at the height of your eyes when you sit, so your neck stays neutral — about 100–115 cm (40–45 in) for most sofas. The screen's own height then fixes where the bottom and top edges fall, which is what you mark on the wall. The recommended distance uses the 40° viewing angle THX suggests for an immersive picture (SMPTE's 30° is a little farther). If the TV has to go higher — over a fireplace or a sideboard — keep the angle up to the centre within about 15°, use a tilting mount beyond that, and avoid anything above 30°.
Worked example
A 55″ TV is 121.8 × 68.5 cm. For a standard sofa with eyes at 107 cm, mount it so the centre is at 107 cm: the bottom edge sits at 73 cm and the top at 141 cm. The recommended viewing distance is 121.8 ÷ (2 × tan 20°) = 1.67 m, and the viewing angle is 0.0°.
Sources: THX — How to choose the right TV size and viewing distance · SMPTE EG-18 — Design of effective cine theaters (30° viewing angle)
Frequently asked questions
How high should a TV be mounted?
With the centre of the screen at seated eye level — usually 100–115 cm (40–45 in) from the floor. For a 55″ TV that puts the bottom edge about 70–80 cm (28–31 in) above the floor.
How high should a 65-inch TV be mounted?
Still centre at eye level, about 107 cm (42 in); the 65″ screen is 81 cm tall, so the bottom edge is around 67 cm (26 in) and the top around 148 cm (58 in).
Is mounting a TV above a fireplace bad?
It often puts the screen centre 150 cm or more above the floor — 20–30° above eye level from a sofa — which strains the neck over long sessions. Use a tilting or pull-down mount and check the heat above the mantel.
How far should I sit from my TV?
For a cinema-like view about 1.2–1.6 times the diagonal (40° field of view); for casual viewing up to about 2 times. The calculator uses 40° unless you enter your own distance.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.