How much tilt does a TV need?

A tilt bracket exists for one reason: the TV is higher than your eyes. Angling the screen down points the picture at you instead of over your head, which improves contrast on most panels and takes ceiling-light reflections out of view.

The idea

You want the screen roughly perpendicular to your line of sight. If you look up at the centre of the TV by 10 degrees, the TV should tilt down by about 10 degrees.

Work it out for your room

1. Measure from the floor to the centre of the TV.
2. Subtract your seated eye height (about 42 inches on a couch).
3. Measure the distance from your eyes to the wall.
4. Compare the two:

TV centre above eye level	Viewing distance 8 ft	Viewing distance 10 ft	Viewing distance 12 ft
12″	7°	6°	5°
24″	14°	11°	9°
36″	21°	17°	14°

So a TV centred 24 inches above eye level — typical over a fireplace — wants around 10 to 15 degrees.

What mounts can do

Most tilt brackets offer 5 to 15 degrees downward. That covers TVs up to about two feet above eye level at normal distances. Some full-motion mounts tilt a similar amount; fixed mounts tilt zero.

When tilt isn't enough

If the table says 20 degrees or more, the TV is simply too high for comfort and no bracket fully fixes that. Options:

• Lower the TV. Even a few inches helps.
• Sit further back. Distance reduces the angle.
• A pull-down mantel mount, which lowers the whole screen in front of the fireplace — see pull-down mounts.

Our fireplace guide covers the trade-offs.

Tilt and big screens

Tilting swings the top of the TV forward. On a large screen with a deep mantel below, check that the bottom edge doesn't hit the mantel or a soundbar when tilted — the TV pivots around its middle on most brackets.

Tilt for glare

Even at eye level, two or three degrees of downward tilt can move a reflected ceiling light out of the screen. That's a good reason to choose tilt over fixed in rooms with recessed lights.

Set it and forget it

Tilt is adjusted once, with the TV on and someone sitting in the usual seat. Most brackets hold the angle by friction or a locking screw; tighten it so the TV doesn't drift.

Upward tilt?

Rarely needed and rarely offered. A TV mounted low — in a home gym for floor work, say — is better on a full-motion mount.

Our tilt bracket is $59; the technician sets the angle with you before leaving.