TV Mounting Guide

Find the optimal mounting height for comfortable viewing in any room, from living rooms to bedrooms.

Finding the Optimal Height

The ideal TV mounting height puts the centre of the screen at seated eye level. This typically means the middle of your TV should be about 1000-1200mm (40-48 inches) from the floor when you're seated on a standard sofa.

1000-1200mm TV Centre Eye level
The 15-degree rule: Your eyes should look slightly downward (up to 15 degrees) at the centre of the screen. Looking up causes neck strain over time.

Living Room Setup

In a living room, most viewing happens from a seated position on a sofa or armchair. Here's how to calculate the perfect height:

1

Measure your seated eye level

Sit on your sofa in your normal viewing position and measure from the floor to your eye level. For most adults, this is around 1000-1100mm (40-43").

2

Get your TV's height

Measure the total height of your TV (screen only, not including the stand).

3

Calculate mounting height

Bottom of TV = Eye level - (TV height ÷ 2)

Example: For a 750mm tall TV and 1050mm eye level: 1050 - 375 = 675mm from floor to bottom of TV.

Standard sofa eye level
1000-1100mm
55" TV centre height
~1050mm from floor
65" TV centre height
~1100mm from floor

Bedroom Mounting

Bedroom TVs are often watched from a reclined position in bed, which changes the optimal mounting height significantly.

Reclined Viewing

When lying in bed, your natural eye line is higher on the wall. Mount the TV higher than you would for seated viewing — typically with the centre at 1400-1600mm.

Use a Tilting Mount

A tilting mount lets you angle the screen downward, reducing glare and making higher mounting more comfortable for viewing from bed.

Reclined eye level (in bed)
1400-1600mm
Recommended tilt angle
5-15 degrees down
Distance from bed
2-3m minimum
Test before drilling: Prop your TV temporarily on a dresser or stack of boxes at different heights. Watch from your bed to find what feels most comfortable.

Mounting Above a Fireplace

While popular, mounting a TV above a fireplace is often not ideal for comfortable viewing. The TV ends up too high, causing neck strain during extended viewing. However, if this is your only option, here's how to minimize discomfort:

The problem with fireplace mounting

Most mantels are 1200-1400mm high. Adding a TV above means the screen centre is often 1500-1800mm up — far too high for comfortable seated viewing.

Tilting Mount

Essential

Angles the TV down toward seated viewers, reducing neck strain significantly.

Pull-Down Mount

Best Solution

Motorized or manual mounts that lower the TV for viewing and raise it when not in use.

Recessed Mounting

Advanced Option

Building the TV into the wall above the fireplace lowers the position and creates a cleaner look.

Heat Protection

Critical

Ensure adequate clearance and consider a mantel hood to deflect heat away from the TV.

Minimum clearance above mantel
100-150mm (4-6")
Heat threshold for TVs
Max 35-40°C (95-104°F)
Recommended tilt angle
10-20 degrees down

Optimal Viewing Distance

The distance from your seating to the TV affects comfort as much as height. Sit too close and you'll strain your eyes; too far and you lose detail.

43" TV
1.8-2.7m (6-9 ft)
55" TV
2.1-3.2m (7-10.5 ft)
65" TV
2.5-3.9m (8-13 ft)
75" TV
2.9-4.5m (9.5-15 ft)
85" TV
3.3-5.1m (11-17 ft)

These ranges are for 4K TVs. For 1080p content, sit toward the lesser end of the range (closer distance).

Quick formula: For 4K TVs, multiply the screen diagonal by 1.2-1.6 to get the optimal viewing distance in the same unit.

Types of TV Mounts

Choosing the right mount depends on your viewing needs and room layout:

Fixed Mount

Low profile

TV sits flush against the wall. No adjustment but sleekest look. Best when mounting at the ideal height.

Tilting Mount

Versatile

Allows angling the TV down. Perfect for above-fireplace or higher bedroom mounting.

Full-Motion Mount

Maximum flexibility

Extends, tilts, and swivels. Ideal for corner mounting or rooms with multiple seating areas.

Ceiling Mount

Space-saving

Suspends TV from ceiling. Useful for rooms without suitable walls or commercial settings.

Check Weight Capacity

Always verify the mount's weight rating exceeds your TV's weight. Most 65" TVs weigh 20-30kg — ensure your mount and wall can handle it.

Calculate Your TV Mounting Height

Use our calculator to determine the exact mounting height based on your TV size, seating position, and room layout.

Open Calculator