This is the question we get on almost every single job. And the answer isn't a fixed number — it depends on your room, your furniture, and how you watch TV. Here's the exact formula we use on every installation.
The Professional Formula
The goal is to have the center of the TV screen at your eye level when seated. For most people sitting on a standard sofa, eye level is roughly 42–48 inches from the floor.
So: if you have a 65" TV, the screen is about 32" tall. The center of the screen should be at 44" — which means the bottom of the TV should be at about 28" from the floor.
Common Mistakes
- Mounting too high — The most common mistake. It looks impressive but causes neck strain within minutes. Above-fireplace mounts are especially guilty of this.
- Mounting to match furniture — Centering the TV above a credenza or dresser often puts it too high. Mount for your eyes, not the furniture.
- Not accounting for reclining — If you watch TV fully reclined, your eye level drops. We factor this in.
Room-by-Room Guidelines
Living room (sofa seating): Center of TV at 42–46" from floor.
Bedroom (watching from bed): Center of TV at 54–60" — you're sitting more upright against pillows, so higher is acceptable.
Above fireplace: Typically 55–65" to center, depending on mantle height. A tilting mount is essential to compensate.
We Always Confirm Before Drilling
On every installation, we hold the TV at the proposed height and ask you to sit in your normal viewing position before we drill a single hole. You approve the height — then we mount it.
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