How to Calculate Your Sim Racing FOV
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To calculate your sim racing FOV, you need two measurements: the width of your screen and the distance from your eyes to that screen. Put them into one short formula and you have the field of view that makes the track on your screen match what your eyes would see through a window that size. This guide covers the formula, worked examples for common screens, and how to enter the result in each sim. It takes about 10 minutes, and all you need is a tape measure.
What Is FOV in Sim Racing?
Field of view, or FOV, is how much of the virtual world your sim draws on your screen, measured in degrees. A correct FOV means objects appear at their true size and distance for where you're sitting. Default settings are generally built for sitting a long way back from a TV, so at a desk or rig they usually look too wide. Corners seem further away, your sense of speed is exaggerated and braking points are harder to judge.
The right number depends on your own setup, not on what suits another driver. That's why there's no single best FOV for sim racing, and why our guide to choosing a sim racing monitor treats it as part of the setup and not an afterthought.
How to Calculate Your Sim Racing FOV, Step by Step
Step 1: Set your seating position first
Your FOV is tied to where your head sits, so sort out your seat, wheel and screen before you measure. If you move any of them later, you'll need to recalculate. Our guide to planning a sim racing setup at home helps if you're still working out the layout.
Step 2: Measure the screen width
Measure the visible panel only, from one edge of the picture to the other, in centimetres. Leave out the bezel. Advertised screen sizes are diagonal, so a 27-inch 16:9 monitor is about 59.8cm wide, not 68.6cm.
Step 3: Measure your eye distance
Sit in your normal driving position and measure from your eyes to the centre of the screen. Ask someone to hold the tape if you can, because leaning forward to reach it will shorten the number. Round to the nearest centimetre or two.
Step 4: Run the formula
Horizontal FOV uses screen width. Vertical FOV is the same sum using screen height:
FOV = 2 x arctan(screen size / (2 x eye distance))
For a 27-inch 16:9 monitor at 60cm, that's 2 x arctan(59.8 / 120), which gives 53 degrees horizontally. Using the 33.6cm screen height gives 31 degrees vertically. To do it in Excel or Google Sheets, enter =2*DEGREES(ATAN(width/(2*distance))) and swap in your numbers.
Step 5: Check which type your sim uses
This step catches a lot of people out. Sims don't all use the same measurement, so a correct number in the wrong format is still wrong. Use this table as your starting point, and check the in-game label because menus can change between updates.
| Sim | FOV type | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|
| iRacing | Horizontal | Options, then Graphics |
| Automobilista 2 | Horizontal | In-game camera settings |
| Assetto Corsa | Vertical | Settings, View, Field of View |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | Vertical | Settings, Graphics, FOV |
| rFactor 2 and Le Mans Ultimate | Vertical | Ctrl+F cycles the adjustment while driving |
| F1 24 and F1 25 | Slider, not degrees | Camera Settings, then Field of View |
The F1 games use a slider and not a true degree value, so community conversion charts are only an approximate guide. Start there, then judge it by eye.
Step 6: Test it on track
Drive a circuit you know well. A correct FOV will often feel slower and more zoomed in than you're used to, because the old setting was exaggerating your sense of speed. Give it a few sessions before you judge it. Your braking markers should start to feel more natural as your eyes adjust.
Worked Examples for Common Screens
These figures come straight from the formula. Measure your own setup for the most accurate result, as curved panels usually run a few degrees higher than these flat-screen numbers.
| Screen | Eye distance | Horizontal FOV | Vertical FOV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-inch 16:9 | 60cm | 53 degrees | 31 degrees |
| 27-inch 16:9 | 80cm | 41 degrees | 24 degrees |
| 32-inch 16:9 | 60cm | 61 degrees | 37 degrees |
| 32-inch 16:9 | 80cm | 48 degrees | 28 degrees |
| 34-inch 21:9 | 70cm | 59 degrees | 27 degrees |
| 49-inch 32:9 | 70cm | 81 degrees | 27 degrees |
The pattern is simple: sit closer and your correct FOV gets wider. That's why moving the screen towards you, usually just behind the wheel, gives you a wider view without any distortion.
How to Calculate FOV for Triple Screens
Triples use the same maths with one extra step. Work out the horizontal FOV for one screen, then use that same figure as the angle for each side screen. A 27-inch triple setup at 60cm has a 53-degree FOV per screen, so each side panel angles in by about 53 degrees. Your eyes then sit at the right distance from all three, which gives you about 159 degrees across the full setup before bezels.
If you're using triples, turn on the sim's triple screen mode and enter your bezel width where it's available. If objects jump or stretch as they cross a bezel, the angle or the FOV is off.
Getting those angles right is much easier when your screens are on a stand you can adjust. The Trak Racer Cockpit-Mounted Triple Monitor Stand attaches to the cockpit, so the screens stay at the same distance from your eyes, and the side screens angle independently. You'll find more options in our monitor stands collection.
Common FOV Mistakes
- Using the diagonal: screen size is measured corner to corner, but the formula needs width or height.
- Entering horizontal FOV into a vertical sim: 53 degrees in ACC isn't the same as 53 degrees in iRacing.
- Measuring from the wrong spot: measure from your eyes, not from the seat or the wheel.
- Measuring before setting your seat: moving the seat changes the answer.
- Judging it after one lap: a correct FOV takes time to feel normal.
- Forgetting the mirrors and dash: if a narrow FOV hides what you need, move the virtual seat or screen before you change the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best FOV for sim racing?
The best FOV is the one that matches your screen size and seating distance. On a 27-inch monitor at 60cm, that's about 53 degrees horizontally. There's no universal number.
Should I use a FOV calculator or the formula?
Either works, because online calculators use the same geometry. The formula is useful when you want to check a result or understand why it changed. A calculator is handy for triple screens and curved monitors.
Why does the correct FOV feel so slow?
Wide default settings make the track rush past, which exaggerates your speed. A correct FOV shows your real speed, so it can feel slower even though you aren't going any slower.
Can I use a wider FOV than the formula says?
Yes. It's a starting point, and some drivers add a little to improve their view or their sense of speed. Just remember that the wider you go, the less accurate your sense of distance becomes.
Does FOV matter on a TV?
Yes, but the sitting distance is usually much greater, so your correct FOV will be narrow. Moving the TV closer to the wheel, where your setup allows it, makes a bigger difference than changing the number alone.
Ready for Your Next Lap?
Once your FOV is right, your braking points and corner entries should become easier to judge, which helps every other part of your driving. If you're just getting started, our guide to sim racing for beginners is a good next stop. Gamer Gear Direct is an authorised Trak Racer dealer, and if you're planning a larger build, our Dandenong South showroom is open by appointment.
Written by Kurt Ebrado, Sales Manager at Gamer Gear Direct. With over five years of hands-on experience across sim racing and flight simulation gear, Kurt has helped hundreds of Australian sim enthusiasts find the right setup for their space, budget and goals. If you've ever called the GGD showroom for advice, there's a good chance you've already spoken to him.
