How to Choose The Best Home Theater Screen Size

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One of the most commonly asked questions we get is, how big should my screen be? Well, the answer is usually, as big as you can make it! If you want watching a movie at home to be the same type of fully immersive experience you get in a movie theater, the screen needs to fill up a good part of your field of vision. There are two groups that lead the charge in specifying what should be the proper viewing distance. One is the Society of Motion Picture and Theater Engineers, called SMPTE, and the other is THX - a Lucasfilm standard set. For a 16:9 screen, SMPTE recommends a 30 degree viewing angle from the screen while THX suggests a 36 degree viewing angle. Increasing the viewing angle translates to sitting closer to the screen.
The first step in choosing the right screen for your needs is deciding which of the two aspect ratios you want for your home theater - 16:9 which matches 99% of broadcast and cable television feeds or 2.4 which is the wider screen most movies are shown in. For most people, it's going to be a 16:9 aspect ratio. This does mean that you’ll see some black bars on a wide screen movie, but all flat panel TV’s and the good majority of front projectors are a 16:9 aspect ratio. For more information on what widescreen is all about and why you’d want it if you are building a high performance theater, check out our article on AudioAdvice.com that further explains widescreen. After you decide what aspect ratio you want, the next step is to measure the distance from the screen to your main seating position. If you have flexibility in where to put your seats, that’s even better.
To get that immersive theater experience, the screen needs to be pretty large. This is why most people opt for a front projector over a flat panel TV when they are sitting more than about 12 feet away. As projector technology has improved it is easier to go with larger projector screen sizes. The one caveat about a front projector is that you do need to think about its light output as you go really large. Some projectors are not capable of lighting up a 2.4 screen larger than a 150 inch diagonal. We have a whole separate article at AudioAdvice.com on projector screens if you want to learn more about what to look for when picking one out. If you are working with one of our AudioAdvice experts either in person or over the phone, we will do the math for you and make sure you don’t make any mistakes. There is a lot that goes into planning the perfect home theater and after installing over one thousand of them, we know that no two jobs are ever the same.

[@bruasGT]

Bruce here. Audiophile, cinema major, and home theater installer for 22 years. The SIMPLEST way to know what like: hold both hands out in front of you. Next spread your finger snout wide side to side. Keeping them stretched, touch your thumbs together. 2 hands wide, or 2 hands plus about one fist width will ALMOST ALWAYS be what you prefer. Try it, I dare you. Do it in your favorite movie theater seat to "calibrate" your hand/ equipment. It works really well. No measuring, no math.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

What in the heck is "snout wide"?

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Seriously? Wtf is snout wide ?

[@strobez38]

I went from a 33 degree viewing angle, to a 41, and now a 51 degree viewing angle. There's no going smaller for me now that I experienced 51 degree viewing angle. It is just so much more immersive, I love it.

[@strobez38]

@@alexschievink Definitely. I could see the pixels with a 1080p projector at 51 degrees. At 4k I don't see them. My next home theater I'm thinking of going to 60 degrees, 55 minimum.

[@soodlorr]

Agree 36 is so outdate.

[@HeavyInstinct]

Obviously everyone is different. I agree with the recommendations in the video that one should experiment to find what works for them. I did a ton of experimentation in my own home by moving my seating position around and find I very much agree with the SMPTE 30° recommendation. Anything much beyond that starts to become fatiguing quite quickly for me regardless of resolution. Having much more of my field of view filled up (at least for any kind of extended viewing) just feels uncomfortable to me. I've had a couple of times when I have arrived late to the theater and there was nothing left but seats in the front rows (which indicates to me that most people don't like this kind of extreme viewing angle) and it has basically made it impossible for me to enjoy the film.

[@shaolin95]

Yes 45 or so for 16:9 and at least 50 for 2.35 is brilliant

[@shaolin95]

@@soodlorr yes this is so badly outdated is not even funny

[@grandviewlodge3731]

Thanks for all the good tips! I want to get a really big screen and now I know how to choose the right size for my room

[@sonicchill1]

Having personally owned some of the best screens in the world.. this video is right on point! Good job!

[@BusyDadsWorkshop]

Great info. Will have to keep this one for reference. I am in the process of still building the stud walls for our basement Theater.

[@dlcphoto]

Excellent overview, with very practical advice - very helpful!

[@danielseguin913]

Congratulations for this short, focused, and clear video. Makes it easy to plan the screen size with the suggested ratios.

[@joaopaulodasilva9611]

Y7c ioi

[@MFFM]

after watching your videos, now I am educated professionally, thank you for the excellent work

[@AudioAdvice]

It’s our pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@Triggaaar]

I agree with the point at the start of the video: "The answer is usually, as big as you can make it" Therefore I don't agree with the 36 and 48 degree viewing angles suggested.

[@stephanarizona9094]

Most websites give horrible advise, in my 12x12 theater room I believe only 75" was recommend, I have 120" screen with a laser projector and it looks amazing, everyone that comes over says the same thing that a 75" would have been way to small and that 120" is perfect for the room and movies.

[@AudioAdvice]

Actually our tool says if you had your couch on the back wall, a 75" is only average immersion. A 120" screen on the rear is about a 45 degree field of vision, which is great, we have done theaters with an even larger angle and everyone loves it. Go big! Thanks for watching

[@gkambs]

Very good instructional language.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching!

[@PaulSodipo]

such a beautiful presentation for starter like me

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks very much!

[@imax2k2]

This was some great information. Thank you very much!

[@sergiobarrena6626]

Hello very informative. What size screen are you using for the demo at the beginning from 16x9 to 2:40? Thank you

[@shanejohnson237]

This is great information. Thanks for providing these tips!

[@shervinaryan2631]

If you already dont, you should seriously open up an academy to teach future business owners nationally on everything Home Theatre related.. amazing content.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks very much! We reall appreciate it

[@WaelElazab]

Thanknyou, that is a great video - but doesn't resolution factor in - in terms of viewing distance / screen size ?

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you, glad you liked it. This was done to help people decide the level of immersion they wanted. Resolution would be dependent on the display device itself which would create too many variables for the tool to be easy to use. But we will always let our customers know if the screen/projector/seating distance combination might be so close you could see the pixels, but that is an extremely rare case these days.

[@WaelElazab]

@@AudioAdvice There's point at which the pixels cannot be differentiated. Say you start a foot away, and keep going, until the pixels can no longer be seen apart, then that's the distance after which it's best to watch from. Of course, there are formulas to calculate this on paper etc, and you will likely know all of this. My Q - how do these fit, are the distances a match, or how are each accounted for ? Many thanks in advance 🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏻

[@Srikzquest]

Your tool should have an option for AT screen as well.

[@EverythingHomeTheater]

Good info and exciting "algebra"!

[@lionfromjam7282]

Infomercial for audio advice.

[@sonictechnologies7061]

sir please can you tell me if there are any differences if I'm using a large LED screen instead of a projector with a pixel pitch of 1.6mm

[@Molanding]

Great information thank you so much. I’m curious what you used to go from the 16:9 to the 2.4:1? Was it the projector or motorized screen? Thanks!

[@traviswieser]

Projector

[@peat381low8]

What if you stream all kinds of shows with all kinds of aspect ratios? What aspect ratio should you get then?

[@AudioAdvice]

There are still variables to consider like wall space, budget for projector, propensity to watch a lot of sports etc. If all of these were unlimited, a huge 2.40 screen with completely variable masking.

[@Mike-hr6dv]

What is the brand of projector that you're using?

[@AudioAdvice]

In our theater, it is a Sony XW7000es.

[@michelcouture7026]

What is the distance from the screen for a perforated AT screen before you experience or see the dots or distortion in the picture, (moiré in french) my screen is 16:9 120 lnch elite screens cinegrey 3D AT, my sitting distance is 12 (40 degres) to 13,5 (36 degres) feet but I can extend it to 17 (29 degres) feet desastrus for 7.2.4.

[@AudioAdvice]

Most people feel at about 9-10 feet you can not see them.

[@RBBBBBBBBB533]

All this is great & really appreciate the inputs. However I hate projectors and the typical black dungeon type rooms. As extra large screen OLED / LED technologies become more accessible (cost), I believe Projectors will eventually die out.

[@AudioAdvice]

It will be interesting to see what happens. Thanks for watching

[@bruasGT]

PS; try this with your favorite Racing game. Incredible viewing!

[@nicolereadstarot]

I literally just need to know how big of a screen to use the projector as a replacement tv

[@AudioAdvice]

Try out our home theater tool at audioadvice.com!

[@judechidiogene]

Great info, thanks!

[@jjdowns4891]

How much would it be to build one because I have no idea what I’m doing is that the keep it under $600

[@AudioAdvice]

We have no idea on that. You can certainly try to build your own screen, but we recommend Stewart screens for the best performance. Thanks for watching

[@drketansuthar8030]

What’s you suggestion for 17x17 feet room - it’s Longue area cum Home theatre room

[@AudioAdvice]

You might want to try our free home theater design tool www.audioadvice.com/home-theater-design#designer Thanks for watching

[@joebuttigieg6381]

I have a new tv that’s 77 inch c1 what’s is the distance please.

[@AudioAdvice]

Joe- you can go to our theater design tool www.audioadvice.com/home-theater-design That will show you immersive seating ranges. Thanks for watching

[@kmanjunath6648]

Please share best streeming media player

[@AudioAdvice]

We currently think is the Nvidia Shield Pro Thanks for watching!

[@sumdaddy27]

How large is the anamorphic screen at 3:27?

[@AudioAdvice]

That is a 153" diagonal 2.40 screen. Thanks for watching

[@chris-hu7tm]

the bigger the better

[@MrMr123]

The design tool says page not available

[@AudioAdvice]

Sorry, it should be back up now, we had a server issue.

[@kmanjunath6648]

Hi sir

[@xmarksthefilms6161]

1:17 I remember THX

[@abd4620]

"as big as you can make it" thanks bye lol That's literally what I do

[@AudioAdvice]

Nothing wrong with that! Thanks for watching

[@sage11x]

Nolan, Villeneuve, Cruise, etc have thrown a real monkey wrench in this advice by embracing IMAX formatting more and more. Meaning ultrawide 2.4 is less and less the ‘immersive’ format while a super large 1.8 is.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, that is true, but its also really hard to pull off without seriously tiered seating for sightlines compared to 2.40

[@chris-hu7tm]

3:45 nothing is more annoying then those black strips at the top and bottom

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

So I need a 116” television in my living room? Completely unrealistic. I currently view a 65” from 13 feet away, and there are no other options.

[@AudioAdvice]

Fair enough! Room size and the level of immersion people desire from their projector screen varies from person to person. Thanks for watching.

[@frosted1030]

Is this because you prefer to sell projection screens and projectors that have poor dynamic range? Also, where's the short throw laser projectors?

[@mikem506]

Tim Legler?

[@nabadipbarooah4972]

my room size is 12 in length, 8 feet width and height 9 feet............size of screen

[@AudioAdvice]

You'll find the answer right here in our free tool www.audioadvice.com/home-theater-design#designer Thanks for watching

[@ChadAV69]

36 and 30 degree is nothing. I’m 8.5’ from 120” and it’s just right.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing! Everyone will have different preferences!

[@googoo-gjoob]

wow!.... 0:02 this is the first video where a rep pronounced all 5 syllables *AU DI O AD VICE*

[@teclo1057]

or just get the largest screen possible and sit as close as you like, like what i do

[@AudioAdvice]

There is nothing wrong with that plan! We like fully immersive! Thanks for watching

[@Mattyboy88979]

the biggest you can fucking get

[@daleyamamoto7625]

My space won't allow for anything larger than a 43 inch tv.

[@unservant]

Their online tool is a scam It doesn’t give any info or do anything I just tries to trick you into calling them

[@AudioAdvice]

It sounds like you did not look at the output page which gives you all kinds of details. It actually does so much we just received a US Patent for it.

[@markimark82]

WRONG !!! just get as big as possible hahaha !!!!!!!!!!!

[@poserwanabe]

Screens are like breast implants, bigger is almost always better..

[@henrylima6974]

The fully ineractive tool sucks