Screen Size Chart by Viewing Distance
Use this chart to pick a 16:9 screen diagonal for the distance between your seats and the screen. It is a free, print-friendly page.
The rule
Rule of thumb: screen image width ≈ viewing distance ÷ 1.5.
This is a common rule of thumb for comfortable viewing, not a standard or a measured optimum. Your eyesight, room, brightness and taste matter as much as the number. Treat the results as a starting point.
How the numbers are calculated
- Take the viewing distance and divide it by 1.5 to get the target image width.
- For a 16:9 screen, width = diagonal × 0.871557 (16 ÷ √(16² + 9²)).
- So the diagonal = (distance ÷ 1.5) ÷ 0.871557.
Values are rounded to the nearest 0.1 inch.
Chart: 16:9 diagonal by viewing distance
| Viewing distance | Target image width | Recommended 16:9 diagonal |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft (2.0 m) | 4.0 ft (1.2 m) | 55.1 in (about 140 cm) |
| 8 ft (2.5 m) | 5.3 ft (1.6 m) | 73.4 in (about 186 cm) |
| 10 ft (3.0 m) | 6.7 ft (2.0 m) | 91.8 in (about 233 cm) |
| 12 ft (3.5 m) | 8.0 ft (2.4 m) | 110.2 in (about 280 cm) |
| 14 ft (4.0 m) | 9.3 ft (2.8 m) | 128.5 in (about 326 cm) |
| 16 ft (5.0 m) | 10.7 ft (3.2 m) | 146.9 in (about 373 cm) |
Metric viewing distances, shown as diagonals:
| Viewing distance | Recommended 16:9 diagonal |
|---|---|
| 2.0 m | 60.2 in (about 153 cm) |
| 2.5 m | 75.3 in (about 191 cm) |
| 3.0 m | 90.3 in (about 229 cm) |
| 3.5 m | 105.4 in (about 268 cm) |
| 4.0 m | 120.5 in (about 306 cm) |
| 5.0 m | 150.6 in (about 383 cm) |
Using the chart
- Measure from where the main seat sits to the screen, not the wall behind it.
- For a projector on a camp or backyard screen, the screen size you pick also sets the throw distance. See the throw distance chart for that step.
- A bigger screen needs more light. Compare the projector's brightness in the brightness calculator before you buy.
Print this page
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