Work out monitor distance and height instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Viewing distance scales with screen width, about 1.2 times the width for comfortable text reading. Screen centre should sit 15 to 20 degrees below eye level, because the relaxed resting gaze is downward, so the height drop is the viewing distance times the tangent of that angle. The top of the screen should be at or just below eye level.
Viewing distance
Distance = screen width x 1.2; width = diagonal x 0.8716 for a 16:9 panel
Screen height
Centre height = eye height - distance x tan(viewing angle)
Preliminary estimate only. Display screen equipment assessment should follow the applicable regulations and consider individual vision correction.
Distance = screen width x 1.2; width = diagonal x 0.8716 for a 16:9 panel. Viewing distance scales with screen width, about 1.2 times the width for comfortable text reading.
Looking slightly down is the natural resting position and it keeps the eyelids partly covering the eye, which reduces tear evaporation and dry eye symptoms.
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Seated eye height above the floor, Screen diagonal, Downward viewing angle to screen centre. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.