With their stunning picture quality and sleek, ultra-thin designs, OLED TVs are becoming the pinnacle of home entertainment. But is it okay to sit close to one of these high-end screens? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the ideal OLED TV viewing distance and other critical factors to consider when deciding where to sit.
Recommended OLED Viewing Distance
The general rule of thumb is to sit at least 1.5-2 times the diagonal screen size away from the TV. So for a 55-inch OLED screen, the ideal distance would be between 5.5 and 7.5 feet away. Sitting closer than the minimum viewing distance can cause eye strain as you’ll start to notice pixelation on the screen. Sitting excessively far away reduces immersion and the impact of your expensive OLED investment.
Ideal Viewing Range by Screen Size
| Screen Size | Minimum Distance | Maximum Distance |
| 32" OLED | 4 feet | 5.5 feet |
| 48" OLED | 5 feet | 7 feet |
| 55" OLED | 5.5 feet | 7.5 feet |
| 65" OLED | 6.5 feet | 9 feet |
| 77" OLED | 7.5 feet | 10.5 feet |
| 83" OLED | 8 feet | 11 feet |
This 1.5-2x diagonal size rule provides a good starting point. But optimal viewing distance also depends on other important factors covered next.
Key Factors That Impact Ideal Viewing Distance
Display Resolution
Higher resolution screens like 4K or 8K OLED TVs allow you to sit much closer than lower HD resolutions before seeing pixelation or a "screen door effect." A good rule of thumb is to sit about 0.8-1.5 times the screen height away for 4K resolution, or 0.5-0.8 times for 8K.
Screen Size
Larger screens naturally fill more of your field of view, creating greater immersion in movies and games. But sitting too close to an excessively large screen for an extended period can overwhelm your eyes as they work harder to scan across a wider area. Use the recommendations above to find the optimal distance range based on OLED screen size.
Your Vision
Those blessed with better than 20/20 vision can generally sit closer to a screen without eyestrain. But be sure to have any prescription glasses or contacts you need on when setting your ideal viewing distance. Standard vision correction is optimized for real world viewing, not close up screens.
Viewing Purpose
Critical tasks like computer work, gaming, or other active viewing demand closer inspection than passively watching television shows or movies. Keep your primary viewing purpose in mind – a closer distance may be required for gaming or monitoring versus relaxed movie watching from the couch.
OLED Viewing Angle
One advantage of OLED screens is they maintain their stunning picture quality even at very wide viewing angles. You can sit 30+ degrees off center and still get an excellent viewing experience. So OLED TVs provide flexible seating arrangements without sacrificing image quality for anyone outside the central "sweet spot."
Is Sitting Too Close to an OLED TV Bad for Your Eyes?
Sitting excessively close to any screen for extended periods can contribute to eye fatigue, headaches, and general discomfort. But OLED TVs are uniquely designed to reduce eyestrain in several ways:
- Flicker-free display – OLED screens don‘t use a backlight, eliminating the subtle flicker found in LED/LCD TVs
- Blue light reduction modes – OLEDs filter out high energy visible blue light wavelengths linked to eye fatigue
- Anti-glare coatings – Matte screens scatter and reduce intense reflections
- Perfect black levels – Accurate colors and infinite contrasts reduce eye adaptation required
While moderation is still recommended for any screen time, many experts agree OLED TVs are gentler on your eyes than older LED/LCD display technologies (1).
OLED TV Eye Comfort Research
According to TÜV Rheinland tests, LG OLED TVs reduce blue light exposure by up to 30% compared to conventional LED TVs (2). And lab measurements by Underwriter Laboratories found OLED screens reduce flicker by up to 90% for improved eye comfort (3).
Tips for Sitting Close to an OLED TV
If you want to sit closer than the minimum recommended distance from your OLED TV, these tips can help prevent eye strain and fatigue:
- Use the 1.5-2x diagonal size rule as a starting point, then adjust as needed
- Never sit closer than at least 6 feet for extended viewing sessions
- Take regular breaks by looking away into the distance to relieve eye focus
- Enable built-in blue light reduction features in TV settings
- Adjust backlight/OLED brightness and contrast to comfortable levels
- Consider bias lighting behind the TV to reduce contrast and reflections
Carefully consider TV placement and follow these tips, and you can comfortably enjoy your OLED screen from surprisingly close distances. Place your new OLED wisely and you‘ll be blown away by its jaw-dropping picture quality from any viewing position!
References
- Digital Trends. "Are OLED TVs better for your eyes? We asked an expert" https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/are-oled-tvs-better-for-your-eyes-we-asked-an-expert/
- LG. "LG OLED TV Earns Eye Comfort Certification from TÜV Rheinland". https://www.lgnewsroom.com/2021/08/lg-oled-tv-earns-eye-comfort-certification-from-tuv-rheinland/
- Underwriters Laboratories. "Flicker Comparison of LG OLED TV vs. Conventional TV" https://ul.org/insights/flicker-comparison-lg-oled-tv-vs-conventional-tv
