TV Viewing Distance Calculator (SMPTE, THX and 4K)
Enter the screen’s diagonal size and resolution.
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TV Viewing Distance Calculator (SMPTE, THX and 4K) by TheCalcTools
How the TV Viewing Distance Calculator (SMPTE, THX and 4K) works
SMPTE recommends that the screen fill about 30° of your field of view; THX recommends about 40° for a cinema-like experience. Distance = screen width ÷ (2 tan(angle ÷ 2)).
With 20/20 vision you can resolve about 1 arcminute. Sitting closer than the resolution distance lets you see every pixel’s worth of detail; further away, a lower resolution looks the same.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Screen diagonal (in) | 65 |
|---|---|
| Resolution (vertical pixels) | 4K UHD |
- A 65 in 16:9 screen is 56.7 × 31.9 inches.
- Sit about 8.8 ft away (SMPTE) or 6.5 ft (THX).
Result:
| SMPTE 30° guideline (ft) | 8.8 |
|---|---|
| THX 40° immersive (ft) | 6.5 |
| Farthest distance to see full resolution (ft) | 4.2 |
| SMPTE distance (m) | 2.69 |
| Screen width × height (in) | 56.7 × 31.9 |
Frequently asked questions
How far should I sit from a 65-inch TV?
About 8.9 ft for SMPTE’s 30° and 6.5 ft for THX’s 40°; to see full 4K detail, within about 4.2 ft.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Display size
- Wikipedia: Visual acuity
- SMPTE: Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.