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Recommended viewing distance
The multiple encodes the field of view you are aiming for.
The Formula
distance = screen height x viewing multiple
The multiple encodes the field of view you are aiming for.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Viewing distance | inches | How far the viewer sits from the screen. |
| m | Viewing multiple | unitless | Roughly 1.5 for cinematic, 2.5 for conservative. |
| h | Screen height | inches | The vertical size of the picture. |
What Each Symbol Means
Dinches
Viewing distance
How far the viewer sits from the screen.
munitless
Viewing multiple
Roughly 1.5 for cinematic, 2.5 for conservative.
hinches
Screen height
The vertical size of the picture.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate tv viewing distance page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate TV Viewing Distance, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.