How high should you mount a TV? Determine your ideal viewing height
The ideal TV height depends on more than just the number of inches. In particular, your eye level when seated comfortably, the size of the screen and the position of your sofa determine where the television is most comfortable to mount. A screen mounted too high can cause you to look upwards for extended periods. Mounting it too low is not always comfortable either.
This guide helps you determine the mounting height in the living room, bedroom or media wall step by step. We also cover large screens, tilting and swivelling TV mounts, and common measurement errors. For the right screen size and viewing distance, use our inch size and viewing distance guide.
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Measure the ideal TV height in four steps
There is no universal mounting height that works for everyone. Use this method to determine the height for your own situation:
- Sit as you normally do when watching TV. Sit comfortably on the sofa without deliberately sitting up straight.
- Measure your eye level. Have someone measure from the floor to your eyes. This is the most important starting point.
- Determine the centre of the screen. Measure the actual screen height of your television. A comfortable initial setup is to position the centre of the screen approximately at eye level; adjust this to suit your preference and seating position.
- Check the mounting holes. The VESA holes are not always in the centre of the TV. Measure the distance between the centre of the screen and the mounting points, and use the mount's installation diagram to determine the drilling height. Also read our step-by-step guide to mounting a television.
If desired, use painter's tape on the wall to mark the full external dimensions of your TV. Then sit in different places and assess whether you can look at the screen comfortably.
Calculation example: at what height should a 65-inch TV be mounted?
Suppose your eye level on the sofa is 105 cm and you have a 65-inch television with a standard 16:9 screen. The visible screen is then approximately 80.9 cm high. If you position the centre of the screen at 105 cm, the visible bottom edge will be approximately 64.5 cm from the floor and the top edge approximately 145.5 cm.
This is a calculation example, not a mandatory mounting height. The external dimensions of your television may differ. A TV cabinet, soundbar or media wall may also require a different position due to the available space.
Please note: the mounting holes of the wall bracket are usually not at the same height as the center of the TV. Use the manual for the selected bracket and the exact position of the VESA holes on your screen.
Mounting a TV in the living room: seat height and viewing comfort
In the living room, people usually watch from a sofa or armchair. Therefore, measure eye height from your favorite seat. Also take a second seat into account: a TV can feel different from a low sofa than from a higher armchair. The position of the TV cabinet is not automatically the best reference point.
With a larger screen, it is important to assess the entire image. A 75- or 85-inch television is much taller than a compact screen. If you keep only the bottom edge at the same height, the center of the screen moves upward. Therefore, use the actual screen height and check from the sofa whether the top edge remains comfortably visible.
A fixed TV mount is suitable when you can determine the viewing position in advance. If you want to watch from different places, a swiveling or tilting model can offer more flexibility.
The ideal TV height in the bedroom
In the bedroom, you often watch TV while partially reclined, so the optimal position differs from that in the living room. Lie on the bed in the position in which you usually watch TV. Then determine which position you can see comfortably without unnecessary strain on your neck. There is no fixed height, such as 150 or 180 cm, that is right for every bed and viewer.
A tilting TV wall mount can help when the screen needs to be mounted higher. If wall space is limited, also take a look at our TV ceiling mounts and electric ceiling solutions. For ceiling mounting, always check the supporting structure, the weight, and the desired viewing angle.
TV in a cinewall: height, recess, and space for the bracket
With a cinewall, you need to determine the screen position before finishing the recess and the wall. Measure the television's actual outer dimensions, not just its screen size in inches. Also check the position of the VESA holes, the required bracket depth, and access to the connections.
A TV mounted flush in a niche should not only look good but also be comfortable to watch. Therefore, first mark out the screen from the normal seating position. Leave room for ventilation and make sure cables do not get pinched. Would you like to pull the TV out of the niche for maintenance or a different viewing angle? Then check the extension length and the required clearance for the mount's movement.
View our Cinewall TV mounts and read the VESA guide before having the cinewall finished permanently.
Large televisions of 75, 85, 98 inches and larger
With a large television, the screen height and the forces exerted on the wall change considerably. Take the entire screen surface, viewing distance and wall load-bearing capacity into account. Mounting a large TV higher because it would otherwise extend above the furniture can result in an uncomfortable viewing angle. Therefore, measure the space in advance and assess the position from the seating areas.
A sturdy mount is important for large screens, especially when you want to extend or swivel the television a long way. View our TV mounts for large screens. Compare the permitted screen size, load capacity and VESA size. For the screen dimensions, consult our inch-to-centimetre table.
TV height in offices, shops and hospitality venues
In a meeting room, people often watch while seated, whereas a screen in a shop, storefront or hospitality venue must be visible from various standing and seated positions. The intended use therefore determines the placement. Consider sightlines, walking routes, reflections and the distance of the farthest viewer.
When mounting above a public area, a suitable load-bearing structure is essential. Follow the mount's installation instructions and have the structure professionally assessed where necessary. A sturdy ceiling mount may be suitable when wall space is unavailable, but the exact design must be appropriate for the screen and location.
Fixed, tilting or swivel mount: what changes about the height?
A fixed TV mount keeps the screen close to the wall. The viewing height selected in advance is therefore especially important. With a tilting mount, you can adjust the vertical viewing angle, for example when a TV is mounted slightly higher. A swivel mount is useful when viewing from different seating positions. However, swiveling or tilting does not automatically change the physical mounting height.
Also consider the weight and load when fully extended. The mount must be suitable for your television and the mounting surface. Compare the TV wall mounts and always check the installation manual.
Common mistakes when determining the mounting height
- Choosing the height while standing instead of from your normal sitting or lying position.
- Looking only at the bottom edge and forgetting that larger screens are much taller.
- Confusing the VESA holes with the centre of the television.
- Failing to account for a soundbar, TV cabinet or the dimensions of the media wall.
- Mounting the bracket before the desired viewing height and cable route have been established.
- Forgetting that a swivelling bracket needs additional clearance for movement and a suitable load-bearing wall.
Frequently asked questions about the ideal TV height
How high should the centre of my TV be mounted?
Start with your eye level when sitting comfortably. As a trial, position the centre of the screen approximately at that height and adjust the position to suit your preference and situation.
Should the upper third of the screen be at eye level?
That is a common rule of thumb, but not a universal standard. For many people, positioning the centre of the screen around eye level is a useful starting point. The best position depends on your seating posture, screen size and viewing comfort.
Is a 75-inch TV mounted higher than a 55-inch TV?
Not automatically. If you keep the centre at the same viewing height, the bottom edge of a larger screen will actually be lower. Therefore, measure the full screen height.
How high should I mount a TV above a TV cabinet?
This depends on the height of the furniture, your eye level and the screen size. Leave enough room for any equipment, but avoid mounting the screen too high solely for aesthetic reasons.
How high should I mount a TV in the bedroom?
Assess the viewing direction from your normal lying position. A tilting bracket can help if the screen needs to be mounted higher.
Can a swivelling TV bracket adjust the mounting height?
A standard swivelling bracket mainly changes the viewing direction and sometimes the tilt, not the mounting height. Check the adjustment options for each model.
How do I determine the drilling height?
First measure the desired position of the screen. Then use the exact VESA position on your TV and the mounting diagram of the chosen bracket to determine where to drill the holes.
Help determining the height of your TV
Are you unsure about the right mounting height or bracket? Send us the exact TV model and, if possible, a photo of the mounting situation. We’ll be happy to help you think it through.
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