What’s the Best Viewing Distance for a Gaming Monitor?

QHD represents a sweet spot for gaming monitors we explore the ideal viewing distance for such a display

With so many resolutions and options to choose from for gaming monitors, and a huge variety of games to enjoy on multiple platforms, gamers have the best choice for gaming entertainment, and things will only get busier (and happier) in the future for gamers. Yet the question of viewing distance is a persistent concern for gaming monitors. In a previous article, we established that a great sweet spot for gaming monitors uses a 2560 x 1440 resolution (or QHD) with a 27” panel. But to make the most of such a screen, where should you place yourself relative to the display? What’s the best viewing distance?

Basic Concepts of Viewing Distance and Eye Sight

Things become murky and complicated because human vision is neither analog nor digital. While we have tests to measure eyesight quality, none offer precise standards. We can’t determine people’s vision in pixels or resolutions as neatly as we do with technology, not yet at least!

That means viewing distance tends to come across as very subjective, almost like a taste test. You have people who think good 1080p content looks like 4K and others who can’t tell the difference between 8K and 720p. But assuming “perfect” eyesight in a theoretical person (20/20 vision, also known as 6/6 and other terms), we can assert reasonably applicable markers you can use for the best results possible.

If you sit too far from a display, you’ll waste whatever benefits it may offer. From far enough, even 16K looks the same as 480p. Humans simply can’t notice details beyond a certain distance, usually 7m or farther out. Can you tell if the movie’s playing in 4K, QHD, or 1080p? We’ll answer that for you, you can’t. And at movie theater distances it doesn’t really matter. You could sit really close to the screen, but then your field of vision may get drowned out or you’ll see individual pixels, which makes for a very unpleasant experience.

Field of Sight, Eye Resolution, and Pixel Density

Your preferred viewing distance depends on your field of vision, or FOV, and size of your gaming monitor. Eye experts believe healthy, average humans have an FOV of 140 degrees. Imagine an arc extending directly in front of your eyes as you sit still. That arc covers 140 degrees, and research indicates a person with perfect vision can notice details as small as 1/60^th of a degree. That 1/60 should also provide a hint to why monitors use refresh rates based on multipliers of 30Hz and 60Hz.

In any case, if those numbers are more or less accurate then a quick calculation tells us someone with ideal eyesight detects 8,400 “details,” or as we’ll just call them, pixels. Since QHD or 1440p runs 2560 pixels wide, even people with less than ideal vision should be fine as long as the entire screen fits within their 140-degree FOV.

Resolution/Size	24"	27"	32"
Resolution/Size 1080p	24" 3.2ft (96cm)	27" 3.4ft (105cm)	32"
Resolution/Size 1440p QHD	24" 2.3ft (70cm)	27" 2.6ft (79cm)	32" 3.2ft (96cm)
Resolution/Size 4K	24"	27" 1.7ft (52cm)	32" 2ft (61cm)

Taking all of that into account, a 27” gaming monitor running at 1440p or QHD would be best viewed from about 80cm to one meter (three feet). Sit too close and your FOV won’t cover the whole screen. You’ll need to move your head constantly to track details, causing fatigue, plus you’ll notice individual pixels.

Sit too far and you lose the benefit of QHD, since your gaming monitor will start to look like 1080p, then 720p, etc. Details will blur and image quality won’t matter.

If you choose a 32” QHD monitor, the ideal distance goes up a little from 80cm to 96cm, and the maximum to 1.3 meters (4.5 feet). However, for QHD we strongly recommend 27” as the highest fidelity form factor.

Rule	24"	27"	32"
Rule THX	24" 2.4ft (73cm)	27" 2.7ft (82cm)	32" 3.2ft (98cm)
Rule SMPTE	24" 3.2ft (98cm)	27" 3.6ft (110cm)	32" 4.3ft (130cm)

These figures use recommendations from the SMPTE, or the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Another authoritative source is the cinematic entertainment company THX, which certifies movie theaters. Their standards call for a similar ideal viewing distance of 80cm from a 27” 1440p screen to maintain enjoyable gaming experiences without incurring fatigue.

Rounding this part out, 27” for 1440p gaming monitors works so well because of the ideal pixel density. It’s largely agreed that human sight is best adjusted for a pixel density of 100-120 pixels per inch (PPI). Less than that and graphics look overblown, smudgy, or lacking in detail. Extreme screen density makes everything look tiny and cramped, like too much has been forced on screen. That’s why 4K works best on 32” monitors, while QHD shines on 27”. Both form factors maintain optimal pixel density.

Determining the Distance

Between eye doctors, technology associations, and companies, you’ll get a lot of different opinions on viewing distance. The above figures for a 27” 1440p gaming monitor are confirmed by our own experience and research by monitor manufacturers such as BenQ. However, you’ll have to figure out your ideal viewing distance by yourself. The objective is to avoid strain of any kind – eye or neck. You don’t want to tire out your eyes by sitting too close and seeing pixels one by one, nor should you injure your neck muscles by repeatedly moving your head left to right to take in a display.

Importantly, if your eyesight isn’t 20/20, then you need to adjust viewing distance to compensate, typically by sitting closer or getting a bigger display.

Size/Resolution	Distance Recommendation
Size/Resolution 24"/1080p	Distance Recommendation 3.2 ft
Size/Resolution 24"/1440p QHD	Distance Recommendation 2.3 to 3.2 ft
Size/Resolution 27"/1080p	Distance Recommendation 3.4 to 3.6 ft
Size/Resolution 27"/1440p QHD	Distance Recommendation 2.6 to 3.6 ft
Size/Resolution 27"/4K	Distance Recommendation 1.7 to 3.6 ft
Size/Resolution 32"/1440p QHD	Distance Recommendation 3.2 to 4.3 ft
Size/Resolution 32"/4K	Distance Recommendation 2 to 4.3 ft

The Squint and Head Swivel Test

Aside from all of that numerology, ultimately, you’ll figure out the best viewing distance for you through trial by gaming. If you need to lean in and squint to make out details regularly, then you’re sitting too far. If you constantly swivel your head side to side to focus on details, you’re sitting too close. If the whole screen fits within your field of vision more or less comfortably, you’re good.

Remember though, there’s an absolute “too far”, even for a 100” screen showing 8K. That seven-meter figure we mentioned at the start holds true for pretty much anyone. So listen to your eyes and body movements to get the gaming joy you want.

Don’t Overlook Proper Lighting

While viewing distance is important, having proper lighting can help prevent eyestrain during long gaming sessions. To help take care of your eyes for every gaming session, the ScreenBar series offers several options for ambient monitor light bars that fit most* monitors. The ScreenBar is the original design with integrated controls, the ScreenBar Halo has a wireless controller and backlight, and the ScreenBar Pro is the newest option with integrated controls, the widest lighting coverage, the broadest brightness range, and a new shape for sturdiness. Designed to bring comfort to your space, each option is great to pair with your gaming monitor for an immersive gaming experience that doesn’t hurt your eyes!

*Please see ScreenBar Series specs for monitor compatibility.