THX · SMPTE · Eye Level · 2026

TV Wall Mount Height Guide

How high should you mount your TV? The centre of the screen should sit at seated eye level. Here is the exact height for every TV size and room type.

All TV sizes Inches and cm Room by room

Quick Reference — Standard Couch

Eye Level

42"

105 cm from floor

TV Centre

42"

mount centre height

Common Mistake

Too High

causes neck strain

The Rule

Centre screen at eye level

Mount the TV so the centre of the screen aligns with your eye level when seated. For a standard couch this is 100-110 cm (40-43 inches) from the floor.

TV Size	Screen Height	Bottom Edge	Centre Height	Top Edge
43"	21" / 53 cm	32" / 81 cm	42" / 107 cm	53" / 134 cm
55"	27" / 69 cm	28" / 72 cm	42" / 107 cm	56" / 141 cm
65"	32" / 81 cm	26" / 66 cm	42" / 107 cm	58" / 147 cm
75"	37" / 93 cm	24" / 60 cm	42" / 107 cm	60" / 153 cm
85"	42" / 106 cm	21" / 54 cm	42" / 107 cm	63" / 160 cm

Key rule: The bottom edge of the TV should never be higher than your eye level. Most mounting mistakes happen by placing the TV too high - at standing eye level rather than seated eye level.

By Room

Mount height by room type

Seated eye level varies by furniture type and posture. Use the height that matches your actual seated position.

Seating	Eye Level	TV Centre Target
Standard sofa (upright)	42" / 107 cm	42" / 107 cm
Standard sofa (relaxed)	40" / 100 cm	40" / 100 cm
Low-profile sofa	38" / 95 cm	38" / 95 cm
Recliner (upright)	40" / 100 cm	40" / 100 cm
Recliner (reclined)	33" / 83 cm	33" / 83 cm
Bed (sitting up)	36" / 91 cm	36" / 91 cm

Over Fireplace

TV above fireplace height

Over-fireplace mounting is common but ergonomically compromised. The mantle forces the TV higher than ideal. If you go this route, use a tilting mount angled 10-15 degrees downward.

Mantle at 48" / 122 cm: TV bottom sits at 48", centre around 64-70" depending on screen size. That is 22-28" above ideal eye level.
Tilt mount: A -15 degree tilt significantly reduces neck strain compared to a fixed flat mount in this position.
Viewing distance: Increase your viewing distance by 20-30% compared to eye-level viewing to compensate for the upward angle.

Installation

How to measure and mark

Step 1: Sit on your sofa in your normal viewing position. Measure from the floor to your eye level. This is your target TV centre height.
Step 2: Calculate the bottom edge: target height minus half the screen height. A 65" screen is 32" tall, so bottom edge = 107 cm minus 40 cm = 67 cm from floor.
Step 3: Mark the wall at the bottom edge height and use a level. Locate wall studs. Never mount into drywall alone.
Step 4: Attach the bracket to studs. Hang the TV and sit back down. Confirm the centre is at eye level before tightening fully.

Stud warning: A 65" TV weighs 40-55 lbs. Drywall anchors are not sufficient. Always mount into studs or use a solid wood backing board.

FAQ

Common questions

For a standard sofa, mount the centre of a 65" TV at 42" (107 cm) from the floor. The bottom edge will sit at about 26" (66 cm) from the floor and the top at 58" (147 cm).

Seated eye level on a standard sofa is 40-43 inches (100-107 cm) from the floor. Measure your own by sitting normally and having someone measure from the floor to your eyes.

It is common but not ideal ergonomically. The TV ends up 20-30 inches above recommended eye level. Use a tilting mount angled downward and sit farther back than you normally would to reduce neck strain.

Fixed flat mounts are best when the TV is already at eye level. Tilt mounts (5-15 degrees) are useful for over-fireplace installations. Full-motion mounts suit corner installations or rooms where you watch from multiple positions.

Yes, always. A 65" TV weighs 40-55 lbs. Drywall anchors alone will fail over time. Use a stud finder, mount into at least two studs, and verify VESA compatibility before purchasing a bracket.

Recommended TV Mounts

Find the right TV size for your room

Use our viewing distance calculator to match screen size to your seating distance.

Viewing Distance Calculator TV Size Guide