Getting a new TV is exciting, but once you unbox it, you have to figure out where to put it. If you mount your TV too high or too low, you won’t get the best picture quality. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to know exactly where to mount your TV based on how big it is, how far you are sitting, and more. Here’s how high you should mount your TV, no matter which room it’s in.
Read More: How to mount your TV right the first time
How High Should You Mount Your TV?
For the best viewing experience, experts recommend you should mount your TV at eye level while seated. For the average person, this means the center of your screen should be 42 inches from the floor. However, you might want to mount your TV higher than eye level, depending on your setup.
At first, you might feel like you’re mounting your TV too low, especially if you have a large TV. However, keeping the middle of your screen at eye level means you won’t be straining your neck looking up at your TV, and you’ll have a more immersive viewing experience.
If you want to mount your TV above an entertainment center or some other piece of furniture, you might not have room to mount your TV at eye level. In that case, here’s how to calculate how high the bottom of your screen will be from the floor if you mount your TV at eye level:
How High to Mount Your TV Above Furniture
To calculate how high the bottom of your TV should be from the floor, simply measure the height of your TV and divide that number by two. Then subtract that height from 42 inches. That will tell you how high the bottom of your TV screen should be from the floor.
For example, if you have a 55-inch TV, the screen will be around 27 inches tall. In that case, you would divide 27 by 2, which is 13.5 inches. Then subtract 13.5 from 42, which is 28.5 inches. So, the bottom of a 55-inch TV screen should be around 28.5 inches from the floor.
To make things easier, here is a chart that shows exactly how high the bottom of your TV will be from the floor if you mount it at eye level:
It is important to remember these measurements only tell you where the bottom of your screen is – not the bottom of your TV. You will also need to take the bezel on the bottom of your TV into account.
You should also leave at least 4-6 inches of clearance between the bottom of your TV and any furniture underneath. Otherwise, your TV will look cramped, and it will be harder to adjust a full-motion TV mount. Leaving space under your TV also allows you to add a soundbar to your setup in the future.
Read More: Should you mount your TV?
If you need to your TV to be higher, you can also tilt your TV down to keep it at eye level. However, this will only work if you recline while watching TV and you have a tilting or full-motion TV mount.
Adjusting for Reclining
Tilting your TV down keeps the screen at eye level while reclined, but THX recommends you keep your viewing angle under 15 degrees above or below the center of your screen. According to the cinema certification program, mounting your TV too high will distort the picture quality.
To find the ideal height for mounting your TV when reclining, you can use this TV mounting height calculator.
Tilting your screen down a few degrees will also help to reduce glare. So, if your TV is in a bright room, mounting it higher and tilting the screen down can actually improve your picture quality. However, you should only mount your TV higher than eye level if you have a tilting or full-motion TV mount.
Read More: The best full-motion TV mounts
Mounting Your TV in a Bedroom
If you watch TV in bed, your eye line probably won’t be the same as sitting on your couch. So, you will probably want to mount your TV higher than normal. In that case, you can simply tilt your TV down so the center of your screen is at eye level.
To find how high you should mount your TV in the bedroom, lie in your bed, close your eyes, and point to the center of your vision. When you open your eyes, leave a mark on the wall where you were pointing. Then repeat the process until you have a good average, and you will know where you want the center of your TV to be.
Mounting Your TV in an Entertainment Room
If you are mounting a TV in an entertainment area, where guests are sitting on high barstools or standing up most of the time, the center of your TV should be around 57-60 inches above the floor. This is around the same height that most galleries and museums hang their pieces for optimal viewing.
If you’re mounting your TV in a home bar, check the height of the barstool. Then add 24 inches to it. That will let you know where the center of your TV should be.
Mounting Your TV Above a Fireplace
Fireplaces and furniture can affect how high a TV should be mounted. However, most manufacturers advise against keeping your TV above a fireplace. A TV has delicate electrical parts, which can be damaged if they get too hot.
While you can mount your TV yourself, it can be a difficult process, especially if you have a larger TV. If you are uncomfortable mounting your TV yourself, you can always contact a professional at HelloTech to do it for you. We have thousands of experts across the country ready to visit your home and mount your TV for you.
HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
