Determining the Optimal TV Wall Mount Height Calculator
Installing a wall mount for your television can greatly improve your viewing experience and home theater setup. However, one of the biggest questions when mounting a TV is figuring out the ideal installation height. Mount too high and you’ll strain your neck looking up. Mount too low and you’ll have a cramped viewing angle gazing down.
Fortunately, there are recommended guidelines and calculations you can follow to customize the perfect TV wall mount height for your space. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from standard mounting heights based on TV size to how to adjust for your room layout, viewing furniture, ceiling height limitations, and more. We’ll also introduce you to our handy TV wall mount height calculator to easily determine the optimal position for your display.
Factors That Determine Proper Wall Mount Height
When deciding the best height to install your wall-mounted television, there are a few key factors to consider:
- TV Screen Size – Standard mounting heights vary depending on how large your display is diagonally. As a general rule of thumb, larger screens should be positioned higher on the wall than smaller screens.
- Viewing Distance – How far away you sit from the TV determines what height delivers the most comfortable viewing angle to your eyes. Farther viewing calls for higher mounting, while closer viewing may be better lower.
- Seating Height – The level of your eyes when seated directly impacts the height your display should sit at. You want to mount the TV so eye level is even with the center or bottom third of the screen.
- Room Lighting – Lots of light sources behind or next to the TV like bright windows can cause glare on the screen. Positioning higher on the wall prevents this.
Below we’ll explore how each element influences ideal installation heights.
Recommended TV Wall Mount Heights by Screen Size
As mentioned above, a general rule of thumb is to mount larger television sets higher on the wall, with the bottom of the screen clear of any furniture. Smaller displays can be placed slightly lower with the bottom aligned with or just above furniture tops. Here are the typical recommended mounting heights based on display size:
32-43 Inch TVs
- 50-60 inches from floor to BOTTOM of television
- Align the top of the TV with a standing eye level
50-60 Inch TVs
- 18-24 inches above furniture/media console
- Keep the center of the screen close to the seated eye level
70-80 Inch TVs
- Align the bottom 1/3 of the TV with the top of the furniture
- The bottom should sit above the seated eye height
Our Handy Wall Mount Height Calculator
To take the guesswork out of determining the optimal wall-mount installation height for your television and room setup, we created a handy wall mounted TV height calculator.
Simply input details like:
- Your exact TV screen size
- Typical viewing distance from your seats
- The height of the TV is above
- Your standing height vs. seated height
Based on these details our calculator will suggest the ideal mounting height to deliver the most comfortable TV viewing experience.
It also accounts for factors like room size and ceiling height restrictions. Get personalized TV mounting recommendations in just seconds!
Try our custom TV wall mount height calculator to determine the optimal installation height for your display and room setup.
Issues from Mounting Your TV Too High or Low
Installing your flat-screen television at the wrong height comes with many downsides that can negatively impact your viewing experience, enjoyment, and even neck comfort. Here’s an overview:
Problems Mounting TV Too High
Mounting your television too high forces you to constantly gaze upward to view the screen. This strains your neck muscles and leads to fatigue and discomfort over time. Additional issues include:
- Excessive craning of the neck when looking up at the TV
- Glare or distracting reflections on the screen from bright ceiling lights or windows
- Less screen immersion since peripheral vision lowered
Issues Mounting TV Too Low
Positioning your wall-mounted television too low leads to a cramped viewing angle as you must glance downwards to see the screen. Problems here include:
- Unnatural glancing down strains neck over time
- Reduced sense of immersion in what you’re watching due to the limited viewable area in your field of vision
Both scenarios negatively impact your viewing experience. The optimal height delivers a balanced sightline so your eyes naturally fall around the middle of the screen.
Adjusting Height for Room Size and Layout
The dimensions of your room also factor into the ideal wall mount height. A few considerations:
Shortening Height for Small Rooms
In smaller spaces, people sit closer to the television. This allows you to reduce the wall-mounted height slightly:
- Angling screen downwards for comfortable viewing at close range
- Keep the center of the screen aligned with or slightly above the seated eye level
Increasing Height for Large Rooms
The opposite is true for longer rooms where seating is positioned farther from the display. A higher mounting height improves viewing:
- Allows extending the bottom edge of the viewable screen area
- Avoid major neck strain at long distances
- Clear sight line for the entire screen surface
Adapting Height for Low Ceilings
Low ceiling clearances can also dictate how high you can place the wall mount and television:
- Check room height minus TV dimensions
- Adjust to maximum height limitations
- Tilt screen downwards from the high mount if needed
Standing vs. Seated Viewing Heights
Another factor is accounting for differences between standing eye level vs. seated eye level. Here’s how to adjust:
Stand Height: Slightly Higher Mount
Most entertainment rooms are designed primarily for seated viewing. But also consider scenarios when standing to accommodate:
- Position the TV so eyes level with the top half of the screen when standing
- Allows direct line of sight without glancing down
Seat Height: Slightly Lower Mount
Then optimize height for when viewers are seated since this is the majority use case:
- Mount TV so eye level is aligned with the center or bottom third of the screen
- Prevents excessive neck craning from low seated sight lines
Tilting Your Mount for Extra Comfort
If needed, you can fine-tune viewing angles using the tilt functionality found on most TV wall mounts. Tilt angles to consider:
Tilting Screen Up When Mounted High
If mounted near the ceiling, angle the screen downwards:
- Compensates for very high placement
- Avoids sore neck muscles from constant glancing upwards
Tilting Screen Down When Mounted Low
If your mount height is lower, tilt upwards:
- Helps reduce neck strain caused by angling the head down
- Allows eyes to fall naturally on the screen center
Keep tilt angles modest. Anything beyond 15° strains the neck over time.
Use Our Height Calculator to Position Your TV Perfectly!
Determining the optimal height to install a TV wall mount can seem complicated. But our handy TV wall mount height calculator simplifies the process.
Just input your TV size, typical viewing distances, ceiling height, and other variables. It will accurately recommend the ideal mounting height for your space.
Custom positioning your new wall mount ensures everyone enjoys the most comfortable viewing experience possible. No more neck strain or glare issues!
For additional guidance on selecting the best full motion, tilting or fixed TV wall mount check out our in-depth buyer’s guide.