How High to Mount a TV: An Easy Guide (Plus 1 Safety Tip Most People Miss)

How high to mount a TV is one of the first questions people ask before booking TV mounting. Too high and you’ll strain your neck. Too low and the room feels off. Here’s a simple guide to getting the height right, plus why tall furniture near your TV should be anchored too.

The simple rule: centre of the screen at seated eye level

The most common guideline is to put the centre of the screen at about eye level when you’re seated. For most sofas that’s roughly 42 inches (about 107 cm) from the floor to the centre of the screen, according to CEPro’s TV mounting guide. Larger TVs usually sit a little higher so the bottom edge doesn’t feel too close to the furniture.

Suggested height by TV size

These are common starting points, measured from the floor to the centre of the screen:

Source: size-based heights cited by CEPro. Your sofa height and how you sit matter more than any chart. Sit down, look straight ahead, and have someone mark the wall at your eye level.

Keep the viewing angle comfortable

A good rule is to avoid tilting your head up more than about 15 degrees. If the TV has to go higher, like above a fireplace, a tilting mount or a pull-down mount can angle the screen back toward you.

What about above a fireplace?

Mounting above a fireplace usually puts the TV higher than ideal, and heat can be a concern. If that’s the only spot, consider a pull-down mount. Always check the fireplace and TV manufacturers’ clearance guidance.

Bedrooms, basements and kitchens

In a bedroom, you usually watch while reclining, so the TV can sit a little higher and tilt down slightly. In a basement rec room with a sectional, measure from the actual seat height. In a kitchen, where you’re often standing, mount higher and angle the screen toward the main work area.

Mount into studs (or the right anchors)

Where you mount matters as much as how high. A TV mount should go into wall studs whenever possible, or into anchors rated for your wall type and the weight of the TV and mount. Check the mount’s weight rating and VESA pattern against your TV before you drill.

Don’t forget the furniture around your TV

If your TV sits on a stand instead of the wall, Health Canada recommends attaching the TV to the stand and the wall if possible. It also recommends anchoring tall furniture like bookcases and dressers to the wall, keeping heavier items in lower drawers, and keeping drawers closed when not in use. This matters most in homes with young children.

Quick checklist: how high to mount a TV

1. Sit where you normally watch and mark your eye level on the wall.
2. Line up the centre of the screen with that mark (around 42 inches for most sofas).
3. Keep any upward viewing angle under about 15 degrees.
4. Find the studs and check the mount’s weight rating.
5. Plan cable routing and outlet placement before drilling.
6. Anchor nearby tall furniture to the wall.

Still not sure how high to mount a TV in your room? Triple Home Service offers TV mounting and shelf installation across London, Ontario. We find the studs, set the height with you, and level everything.