How Far Should You Sit From a Plasma TV?

Calculate It

For optimal viewing, viewers' eyes should be at the middle of the screen when at a normal seated position.

Use a simple formula to find the suggested viewing distance. Take the size of the television, measured diagonally across the screen, and divide it by four. For example, the correct distance from a 42-inch plasma TV is 10 1/2 feet because 42 divided by 4 is 10.5. For a 50-inch plasma TV, the suggested distance is 12 1/2 feet.

Be Comfortable

Calculations are helpful, but personal preference also plays a role. Just be comfortable. Generally, sitting too far from a TV can diminish its impact, and sitting too close is distracting because the pixels become more apparent.

Bottom Line

The formula "television size divided by four equals distance" is helpful to determine the distance to sit from a plasma TV, but it is not a strict rule. According to the New York Times, sitting too close to the TV will not damage eyesight. Therefore, calculate the distance, then decide to move the couch forward or backward using your own aesthetic preferences.

References

• New York Times: The Claim: Sitting Too Close to the TV Is Bad for Your Eyes
• DTV City: Suggested Viewing Distance Calculator