The best screen to consume content in a house is the TV. Although smartphones, tablets, and laptop and desktop computers are excellent media consumption tools, they cannot match the TV viewing experience.
The sheer screen size trumps almost every other display you may own, even if those are sharper and more technologically advanced.
However, buying the right size TV is only half the job done. How and where you mount the TV is equally crucial for an optimal experience.
In other words, if the TV is positioned higher or lower than your eye line, you may feel discomfort in your neck, eyes, back, etc., after a few minutes of continuously watching the screen.
So, what is the right height for your TV? How high should it be from the floor? Let’s answer these questions and discuss other things pertinent to an optimal TV viewing experience.
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What is the Best TV Wall Mount Height from the Floor?
There’s no universally applicable best TV wall mount height.
Generally, the TV’s center should be on the same plane as your eye. Anything taller or shorter is not ideal.
The correct TV mounting height depends on where and how you position yourself when watching TV. If you sit on the floor and watch TV, the need to mount the TV may not arise. If you watch the TV while seated on a couch, mount the TV accordingly.
Besides seating position, other variables, such as TV size, the mounting bracket’s shape and size, VESA holes pattern (more on it later), etc., also matter.
Certain TVs have a broader viewing angle than others, determining how high or low you can mount the TV.
What is the Best Viewing Distance to Watch TV?
The best viewing distance matters as it causes little to no eye strain even after hours of watching. The images are the clearest when viewed from a proper distance away.
The ideal viewing distance depends on the TV size and resolution. The following are the numbers for different TV resolutions and sizes as per Sony:
4K
The recommended distance to watch 4K TV is 1.5 times the television’s vertical screen size:
| TV Size (in inches) | Viewing distance range |
| 43 | 35 inches (2.95 feet) |
| 49 | 39 inches (3.28 feet) |
| 55 | 39 inches (3.28 feet) |
| 65 | 47 inches (3.94 feet) |
| 75 | 55 inches (4.59 feet) |
| 85 | 63 inches (5.25 feet) |
HD (high definition)
The recommended distance to watch HD TV (720p or Full HD) is three times the TV’s vertical screen size.
| TV size (in inches) | Minimum viewing distance |
| 22 | 31 inches (2.59 feet) |
| 26 | 39 inches (3.25 feet) |
| 32 | 47 inches (3.92 feet) |
| 40 | 59 inches (4.92 feet) |
| 43 | 67 inches (5.58 feet) |
| 46 | 67 inches (5.58 feet) |
| 49 | 75 inches (6.25 feet) |
| 50 | 75 inches (6.25 feet) |
| 55 | 83 inches (6.92 feet) |
| 60 | 90 inches (7.55 feet) |
SD (standard definition)
The suggested distance to watch SD TV is six times the TV’s vertical screen size.
Note that the above numbers are rough estimates. If sitting a few inches closer or away than recommended feels good, so be it.
Ultimately, it’s how comfortable your eyes feel that matters the most.
Which Wall Mount Bracket is Suitable for Your TV?
The most suitable wall mount bracket for your TV is the one that came with the TV.
If there wasn’t one in the box, look for one that’s robust enough to shoulder the TV size and weight, compatible with the TV’s VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) hole pattern, and meets your tilting/viewing angle requirements (more on that later).
The VESA pattern denotes the arrangement of the four fitting holes on a TV or computer monitor’s rear. The distance between the holes varies based on the TV’s size.
The recommended VESA size for televisions up to 32 inches big is 200 x 200 (horizontal and vertical length measured in millimeters). For 32 to 60-inch TVs, the VESA holes must measure 400 x 400 mm.
For TVs that are 70 to 84 inches large, the 600 x 400 mm VESA pattern is ideal. There are several other VESA sizes to suit different or specific TV sizes.
| VESA MIS-D | VESA MIS-E | VESA MIS-F | |
| TV size | Less than 30 inches | 30 to 40 inches | Bigger than 40 inches |
| Hole pattern | 75 x 75 mm; 100 x 100 mm |
200 x 100 mm; 200 x 200 mm |
400 x 200 mm; 400 x 400 mm; 600 x 200 mm; 600 x 400 mm; 800 x 400 mm |
| Max. weight | 14 kg | 22.7 kg | 113.6 kg |
Note: The different VESA standards come with varying standard screws too.
If you’re having trouble ascertaining the correct VESA hole pattern standard, check out this guide by VESA.
TV Wall Mount Types
Wall mounts come in different shapes and types to accommodate different viewing angles. The three common TV wall mount types are fixed, tilting, and full motion.
As the name indicates, a fixed mount sticks your TV to the wall and locks in its angle and orientation. Fixed mounts, such as this Mounting Dream TV Fixed Mount , are solid options if you sit directly before your television.
A tilting mount, such as the Mounting Dream Universal Tilt TV Mount , helps adjust the TV angle generously. The wall bracket is primarily used to tilt the TV downward from a height. It also helps cancel glares or sun rays by leaning to the side.
A full-motion mount is highly adjustable, moving left and right, up and down, and forward and back. It’s an excellent option for TVs positioned high on the wall and at a weird angle.
Do note that the extent to which a full-motion mount moves forward or in other directions will vary across brands and models.
Also, some models could be “full-motion” but may not travel across all sides. Be aware of these discrepancies and thoroughly check the product specifications and features before purchasing.
The Amazon Basics Full Motion Articulating Wall Mount and Pipishell Full Motion Wall Mount Bracket are solid full-motion mount conversation starters.
What is the Perfect Height for Your TV?
The perfect height for your TV is 42 inches from the TV’s center point to the floor, irrespective of the TV size. The number is arrived based on the assumption the viewer will sit 15 to 20 inches on a couch, above the ground.
But the height recommendation may not work for everyone. If the viewer stands or sits on tall stools like home bars, the television cannot be just 42 inches from the ground and be kosher.
And there are other factors determining the right TV height too, such as the number and type of viewers. For instance, the people watching could be seated at different levels. Their heights may differ—for example, adults and kids could use the same TV.
That will make it non-feasible to position the center of the TV at eye level for everybody. That is when a full-motion TV mount comes in.
And when the TV is massive, positioning it in the center between the ceiling and the floor becomes a more significant concern than the TV’s distance from the floor.
The table below highlights what the suitable height for your TV is based on its screen size:
| Screen Size Diagonally (in inches) | Distance between the floor and the TV’s bottom |
| 43 | 31 inches |
| 50 | 29 inches |
| 60 | 27 inches |
| 75 | 22 inches |
| 85 | 20 inches |
If you’d like a tool that helps calculate ideal TV and watching height, click here.
Hanging the TV Above the Electric Fireplace
Generally, mounting a television above a fireplace is unsafe due to the smoke and tremendous heat the wood fires create. There’s usually no chimney or outlet above or near the TV to let the smoke and heat escape the space and prevent harm to the TV’s electronics.
Ambient light plays a significant role in a home theater or TV viewing experience. The fireplace’s flickering flames will also mar the viewing experience.
A gas fireplace generates less heat than a traditional fireplace, but the heat produced will still be excessive for the TV’s electronic components to withstand.
Comparatively, an electric fireplace is better. It’s devoid of the smoke and heat synonymous with the fireplaces mentioned above.
An electric fireplace generates heat but not to a level damaging to your TV. If wary, use a temperature-measuring device to keep tabs on the fireplace’s heat output.
In essence, mounting a TV over a fireplace works if the latter is the “electric” kind and not very high above the floor. Height will not be an issue if the TV has an adjustable wall mount.
Conclusion
Watching TV for hours together is not recommended. And if the TV is positioned at an odd height or angle, that’s worse.
Unlike in the past, TVs now attach to the wall. In other words, you cannot shift them to another room or table like before when you feel like it.
Therefore, choosing the right spot on the wall, setting the viewing angle right, etc., are crucial aspects. Also, the distance between the TV and the floor is paramount.
The above may seem superficial initially, but once you sit to watch your favorite TV show or catch a game, you’ll realize the TV is placed at a weird angle and uncomfortable to watch for extended periods.
As recommended above, ensure a gap of at least 42 inches between your TV and the floor, and use a full-motion mount so there’s room for viewing height and angle adjustments later.
And regardless of the ideal TV height and distance between you and your TV, take breaks between viewing sessions. Watching content for hours continuously will be strenuous, no matter what.
Catherine Tramell has been covering technology as a freelance writer for over a decade. She has been writing for Pointer Clicker for over a year, further expanding her expertise as a tech columnist. Catherine likes spending time with her family and friends and her pastimes are reading books and news articles.