Best TV Mounting Height: How High Should You Mount Your TV?

Getting the TV at the right height makes movie nights feel smooth and keeps your neck from hurting. It’s not about fancy math – just a few easy steps that fit most rooms.

Why Height Matters

When the screen sits too low, you end up looking down a lot. That can strain the neck after a while, especially if you binge‑watch for hours. On the flip side, a TV that’s too high forces you to look up, which isn’t any better. The sweet spot puts the middle of the screen at or just a little below eye level when you’re seated. That way your eyes stay relaxed and the picture looks natural.

How to Calculate the Ideal Height

1. Measure your seating eye level. Sit on your favorite couch or chair, keep your back straight, and ask someone to measure from the floor to the middle of your eyes. Most people end up with a number between 40 and 45 inches.

2. Check the TV size. Find the height of the screen (not the whole frame). For a 65‑inch TV, the screen height is about 32 inches. Divide that by two – you get the distance from the bottom of the screen to its center.

3. Do the math. Subtract the half‑screen height from your eye‑level measurement. For example, 42 inches eye level minus 16 inches (half of a 32‑inch screen) equals 26 inches. That means the bottom of the TV should sit roughly 26 inches off the floor.

4. Adjust for furniture. If your TV sits on a stand, add the stand’s height to the bottom‑of‑TV number. If you’re mounting on the wall, use the same number as the distance from floor to the bottom of the screen.

5. Consider the room. If you have a tall sofa or you watch from a high chair, you might need to raise the TV a few inches. The rule is still the same – keep the screen center near eye level.

6. Test it. Before you drill, tape a piece of cardboard at the calculated height and sit down. Does it feel right? If it looks good, you’re ready to mount.

A quick tip: If you have multiple seating spots (like a sofa and a chair), aim for the height that feels best for the spot you use most often. You can also tilt the TV a few degrees down if the bottom sits a bit higher than you’d like – modern mounts let you do that.

Remember, the goal isn’t to make the TV reach the ceiling. It’s to put the picture where your eyes naturally rest. Follow these steps, measure once, and you’ll avoid neck pain while enjoying your shows.