TV Viewing Distance Calculator
Find the ideal TV size for your seating distance (or vice versa) using THX, SMPTE, and 1080p guidelines.
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| Standard | Recommended distance | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| THX / 4K | 78″ (6.5 ft / 1.98 m) | ~40° field of view — immersive, ideal for 4K |
| SMPTE | 104″ (8.7 ft / 2.64 m) | 30° field of view — comfortable cinema standard |
| 1080p | 163″ (13.5 ft / 4.13 m) | far enough that 1080p pixels stay invisible |
Rules of thumb: THX aims for ~40° of your field of view (distance ≈ diagonal × 1.2, great for 4K), SMPTE for 30° (× 1.6), and the 1080p guideline keeps you far enough (× 2.5) that HD pixels stay invisible. Sit closer for 4K content, farther for lower resolutions.
About TV Viewing Distance Calculator
Works both directions: enter a screen size to get recommended seating distances, or enter your seating distance to get recommended screen sizes. Three standards are shown side by side — THX's immersive ~40° field of view (distance ≈ diagonal × 1.2, ideal for 4K), SMPTE's 30° (× 1.6), and the classic 1080p guideline (× 2.5).
Common uses
- Decide between a 65" and 75" TV for an 8-foot couch
- Check whether 4K is worth it at your seating distance
- Plan furniture placement in a new living room or theater
Example
Input
8 ft seating distance
Output
THX ≈ 80" · SMPTE ≈ 60" · 1080p ≈ 38"