Guide
Pixel pitch and viewing distance guide
Pixel pitch is the distance in millimeters from the center of one LED to the center of the next. It decides how sharp the picture is and how close people can stand. A simple rule of thumb: the minimum viewing distance in meters is roughly the pitch in millimeters. For comfortable reading add a little: P2.5 suits viewers from about 2.5 m, and P1.25 suits viewers from about 1 m.
- Rule of thumb
- P1.25 to P5
- Indoor and outdoor
The rule of thumb
| Viewing distance | Pixel pitch | Poster models |
|---|---|---|
| 1 m | P1.25 | Die-cast 640 P1.25; Double-sided 640 P1.25; Die-cast 960 P1.25; Tri-fold 1280 P1.25 |
| 1.5 m | P1.538 | Die-cast 640 P1.538; Double-sided 640 P1.538; Acrylic screen 640 P1.538; Die-cast 960 P1.538; Tri-fold 1280 P1.538 |
| 2 m | P1.86 / P2 | Die-cast 640 P1.86, P2; Double-sided 640 P1.86, P2; Acrylic screen 640 P1.86, P2; Die-cast 960 P1.86, P2; Tri-fold 1280 P1.86, P2; Outdoor fixed P2; Outdoor foldable P2; Outdoor die-cast foldable P2 |
| 2.5 m | P2.5 | Die-cast 640 P2.5; Double-sided 640 P2.5; Acrylic screen 640 P2.5; Die-cast 960 P2.5; Tri-fold 1280 P2.5; Outdoor fixed P2.5; Outdoor foldable P2.5; Outdoor die-cast foldable P2.5 |
| 3 m | P3 (P3.076) | Die-cast 640 P3.076; Double-sided 640 P3.076; Acrylic screen 640 P3.076; Die-cast 960 P3.076; Tri-fold 1280 P3.076; Outdoor fixed P3.076; Outdoor foldable P3.076; Outdoor die-cast foldable P3.076 |
Measure the distance from the poster to the closest viewer, in meters, and choose a pitch equal to or smaller than that number in millimeters. A viewer 2 m away can be served by P2 or P1.86; a viewer 3 m away by P2.5 or P3.076. A finer pitch can be viewed from farther away too, but it carries more pixels than that distance needs.
Lookup table: indoor
| Pixel pitch | Viewing distance from | 640 poster, pixels | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1.25 | 1 m | 512 × 1536 | Close reading, small text, 1 m |
| P1.538 | 1.5 m | 416 × 1248 | Reception, showrooms, close viewers |
| P1.86 | 2 m | 344 × 1032 | Menus, lobbies, text read at 2 m |
| P2 | 2 m | 320 × 960 | Counters and lobbies at 2 m |
| P2.5 | 3 m | 256 × 768 | Entrances and corridors from 3 m |
| P3.076 | 3 m | 208 × 624 | Halls and concourses from 3 m |
Lookup table: outdoor
| Pixel pitch | Viewing distance from | 640 poster, pixels |
|---|---|---|
| P2 | 2 m | 320 × 960 |
| P2.5 | 3 m | 256 × 768 |
| P3.076 | 3 m | 208 × 624 |
| P4 | 4 m | 160 × 480 |
| P5 | 5 m | 128 × 384 |
For a sidewalk or an entrance, work from the nearest person, as indoors. For forecourts and larger open areas, P4 or P5 is the usual choice. See the outdoor LED poster, 640 mm.
Using the table, step by step
- Measure the closest distance at which people will look at the poster.
- Find the pitch whose viewing distance is the same or smaller.
- Check the pixels of one poster against your artwork: text needs enough pixels to be drawn clearly, which is why close reading calls for a finer pitch.
- If you plan a wall, multiply the width in pixels: see the resolution guide.
- Send us your artwork and the distance, and we advise before you order.
Examples
A restaurant menu board read at the counter from 1.5 to 2 m: P1.538, P1.86 or P2. A hotel lobby where guests stop at 2 m: P1.86 or P2. A store entrance where shoppers pass at 2.5 to 3 m: P2.5 or P3.076. A showroom where visitors lean in at 1 m: P1.25. These are guides, not promises: test your own content.
What the rule does not cover
The rule of thumb is a starting point. Brightness, ambient light and the size of your text also matter, and the rule says nothing about cameras. Test your artwork on a sample, and read the content creation checklist before you finalize files.
Questions and answers
What is pixel pitch?
The distance in millimeters between the centers of two neighboring LEDs. P2.5 means 2.5 mm.
Why is the rule 'meters equal millimeters'?
It is a rule of thumb: at a distance in meters equal to the pitch in millimeters, the eye no longer picks out single pixels in ordinary content.
Can I stand closer than the table says?
You can, and the picture will look more like a grid of dots. If people will really stand closer, choose a finer pitch.
Does a finer pitch make the poster bigger?
No. The size stays 640, 960 or 1280 mm wide and 1920 mm high; only the number of pixels changes.
Which pitch should I choose for a restaurant menu?
If guests read at 2 m, P1.86 or P2; if they stand at the counter from 1.5 m, P1.538. Send us your artwork to check.
Which pitch for a mall concourse?
Usually P2.5 or P3.076, since viewers are 2.5 to 3 m away or more.
Does the same rule hold for outdoor posters?
Yes, as a starting point: P4 suits viewers from about 4 m and P5 from about 5 m.
Can I mix pitches in one wall?
No. Pitches never mix in one chain.
Request a quote
Request a quote and tell us the type, the pixel pitch, the quantity, the destination country and your control system (NovaStar with Mean Well PSU by default; Huidu or Colorlight as a lower-cost option). Price, MOQ and lead time are quoted per order. Samples are available.