How to Use the Projector Screen Size Calculator
Enter the distance from your projector to the wall and the throw ratio listed in your product's spec sheet to see the resulting screen width, height, and diagonal size in a standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
What Is Throw Ratio?
Throw ratio is the throw distance divided by the screen width, written as "distance:width". A projector with a 1.2:1 throw ratio placed 10 feet from the wall produces a screen roughly 8.3 feet wide. Lower ratios mean short-throw projectors capable of large screens from shorter distances.
Before You Install
If the calculated screen size is smaller than you'd like, increase the throw distance or consider a projector with a lower throw ratio. If the screen turns out too large, reduce the distance or pick a standard throw-ratio model instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check the 'Throw Ratio' spec on your projector's product page or manual. Standard projectors are usually 1.2-1.6:1, while short-throw projectors are 0.5:1 or lower — a smaller number means a bigger screen at a shorter distance.
If space is limited, choose a short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector with a lower throw ratio to get a large screen from a shorter distance. Use this calculator with your desired screen size to work out the distance you'll need.