How the TV mounting height calculator works
Enter the size of your TV, the eye level of whoever will sit and watch, and how far they sit from the screen. The calculator tells you how high to mount the TV, the height of the bottom and top edges, the screen size, and the best viewing distance for your TV. A side view shows your line of sight.
Choose Living room, Over a fireplace or Bedroom. The fireplace option also works out the angle your neck has to tilt, and warns you if it is too steep.
The basic rule: centre the screen at eye level
The most comfortable place for a TV is with the centre of the screen at eye level when you are sitting. The average seated eye level on a sofa is about 42 in from the floor, so the centre of the screen should be about 42 in up. That puts the bottom of a 65 in TV at about 26 in, and the top at about 58 in.
Many people hang the TV too high because it looks better on an empty wall. A high TV is not comfortable to watch for a long time.
How far from the TV should you sit?
| Resolution | Distance | 65 in TV |
|---|---|---|
| 4K / Ultra HD | 1 to 1.5 × the screen diagonal | 5.4 to 8 ft |
| 1080p / HD | 1.5 to 2.5 × the screen diagonal | 8 to 13.5 ft |
A 4K picture is sharp enough that you can sit closer to a bigger screen. If you sit farther away than the range, a bigger TV will fill more of your view.
TV over a fireplace
A TV over a fireplace is usually higher than eye level. The higher it is, the more you have to tilt your head back. Aim for an upward angle of no more than 10 to 15 degrees between your eyes and the centre of the screen.
- Start with the height of the mantel, and add a gap of 4 to 6 in, so that the TV does not touch it.
- Use a tilting or pull-down mount, which angles the screen towards you.
- Choose a smaller TV if the angle is too steep. A 55 in TV is a better fit than a 65 in one over most mantels.
Heat
Heat rises, and electronics do not like it. Keep the mantel at least 12 in above the firebox opening, and check the TV manual for the maximum temperature it can stand. If you burn wood, be careful, as the heat and soot are harder on the TV than gas. If in doubt, ask a fireplace professional.
Worked examples
A 65 in 4K TV in the living room
The screen is about 57 in wide and 32 in high. With an eye level of 42 in, the centre of the screen is at 42 in, with the bottom at about 26 in and the top at 58 in. The best distance is 5.4 to 8 ft.
A 65 in TV over a 54 in mantel
With a 6 in gap, the centre of the screen is at about 76 in. From a seat 10 ft away with an eye level of 42 in, you look up about 16 degrees, which is too steep for a long film.
A 55 in TV over a 48 in mantel
With a 4 in gap the angle drops to about 11 degrees, which is acceptable with a tilting mount.
Common mistakes
- Hanging the TV too high. It should be at eye level, not on the same line as the pictures on the wall.
- Measuring while standing. Take the eye level when you are sitting in the seat that you use most.
- Forgetting the cables and the mount depth. Plan a hole in the wall, or a cable cover, before you mount the TV.
- Ignoring the studs. Mount the bracket into wall studs, or use anchors rated for the weight.
- Buying the biggest TV. A TV that is too big for the distance makes you move your eyes and head all the time.
Tips
- Cut a piece of cardboard the size of the screen and tape it to the wall for a day, to check the height and the size.
- Use a full-motion mount if you watch from more than one place in the room.
- In a bedroom, measure your eye level when you are sitting up with pillows behind you.
- Keep light from windows from shining on the screen, and put the TV on a wall that does not face them.
