Monitor Viewing Distance Calculator
Compare a transparent field-of-view distance range with a separate pixel-visibility reference for your screen.
Closer end (40° horizontal field of view)
Suggested range uses an explicit 30–40° horizontal field of view. One arcminute is a geometric reference, not a universal visibility threshold. Use the physical aspect ratio; nominal 21:9 labels can approximate actual dimensions. This is not medical or ergonomic advice.
Formula checked · NumberSwift · Review process
How this calculator works
The physical diagonal and aspect ratio determine display width. The closer and farther suggestions correspond to 40° and 30° horizontal field of view. Resolution is used in a separate reference: the distance at which one horizontal pixel subtends one arcminute. These are two different models. They can suggest different distances, so neither is silently substituted for the other. Desk constraints, eyesight, content and personal comfort remain relevant.
Formula
Width = diagonal × 2.54 × aspect ratio / √(aspect ratio² + 1). Distance = width / (2 tan(field of view/2)). Pixel reference distance = (width/horizontal pixels) / (2 tan(1 arcminute/2)).
Assumptions & limitations
Suggested range uses an explicit 30–40° horizontal field of view. One arcminute is a geometric reference, not a universal visibility threshold. Use the physical aspect ratio; nominal 21:9 labels can approximate actual dimensions. This is not medical or ergonomic advice.
Worked example
A 27-inch 16:9 screen is about 59.7727 cm wide. It spans 40° at about 82.11 cm and 30° at about 111.54 cm. At 2,560 horizontal pixels, the separate one-arcminute pixel reference is about 80.27 cm.
Our approach to calculations ↗Common questions
Why are there two kinds of distance?
Field of view describes how much of your vision the screen fills; the pixel reference describes angular pixel size. They answer different questions.
Does the range guarantee comfort?
No. It is an explicit geometric range. Adjust your setup for your own circumstances; it is not a health recommendation.
Does higher resolution change the field-of-view range?
No. Field of view depends on physical width and distance. More pixels change the pixel reference, not the screen’s physical angular size.