What focal length for a video projector?
The distance you place the projector from the screen determines the approximate size of the image. Image size increases as the projector is moved away from the screen, but can vary depending on the zoom factor, aspect ratio, and other settings.
Use the tables below to determine approximately how far away from the screen to place the projector based on the size of the projected image. (Conversion figures may have been rounded up or down.)
Adjusting the vertical lens shift
Adjusting the horizontal lens shift
| 1 | Image or screen size |
| 2 | Distance between projector and screen |
| 3 | Distance from the center of the lens to the bottom of the projected image when the lens is moved to the highest position |
| 4 | Distance from the center of the lens to the bottom of the projected image when the lens is moved to the lowest position |
| 5 | The distance the projected image moves from the center when the lens is moved to its maximum position to the left or right |
Screen or image in 16:9 format
| Image or screen size (1) |
Projection distance (2)
Large to Tele |
|---|---|
| 40 in. (101.6 cm) |
46 to 74 inches.
(116 to 189 cm) |
| 60 in. (152.4 cm) |
69 to 112 inches.
(175 to 285 cm) |
| 80 in. (203.2 cm) |
93 to 150 inches.
(235 to 381 cm) |
| 100 in. (254 cm) |
116 to 188 inches.
(295 to 477 cm) |
| 120 in. (304.8 cm) |
139 to 226 inches.
(354 to 574 cm) |
| 150 in. (381 cm) |
175 to 283 inches.
(444 to 718 cm) |
| 200 in. (508 cm) |
233 to 377 inches.
(593 to 958 cm) |
| Image or screen size (1) | Offset from lens center (3) | Offset from lens center (4) | Offset from lens center (5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 in. (101.6 cm) | 2 in. (5 cm) | 21.6 in. (55 cm) | 8.4 in. (21 cm) |
| 60 in. (152.4 cm) | 2.9 in. (7 cm) | 32.4 in. (82 cm) | 12.6 in. (32 cm) |
| 80 in. (203.2 cm) | 3.9 in. (10 cm) | 43.1 in. (110cm) | 16.7 in. (43 cm) |
| 100 in. (254 cm) | 4.9 in. (12 cm) | 53.9 in. (137 cm) | 20.9 in. (53 cm) |
| 120 in. (304.8 cm) | 5.9 in. (15 cm) | 64.7 in. (164cm) | 25.1 in. (64 cm) |
| 150 in. (381 cm) | 7.4 in. (19 cm) | 80.9 in. (205 cm) | 31.4 in. (80 cm) |
| 200 in. (508 cm) | 9.8 in. (25 cm) | 107.8 in. (274 cm) | 41.7 in. (106 cm) |
Screen or image in 4:3 format
| Image or screen size (1) |
Projection distance (2)
Large to Tele |
|---|---|
| 40 in. (101.6 cm) |
56 to 91 inches.
(143 to 232 cm) |
| 60 in. (152.4 cm) |
85 to 138 inches.
(215 to 350cm) |
| 80 in. (203.2 cm) |
114 to 184 inches.
(288 to 467 cm) |
| 100 in. (254 cm) |
142 to 230 inches.
(361 to 585 cm) |
| 120 in. (304.8 cm) |
171 to 277 inches.
(434 to 703 cm) |
| 150 in. (381 cm) |
214 to 346 inches.
(544 to 879 cm) |
| 200 in. (508 cm) |
286 to 462 inches.
(726 to 1174 cm) |
| Image or screen size | Offset from lens center (2) | Offset from lens center (3) | Offset from lens center (4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 in. (101.6 cm) | 2.4 in. (6cm) | 26.4 in. (67 cm) | 10.2 in (26 cm) |
| 60 in. (152.4 cm) | 3.6 in. (9 cm) | 39.6 in. (101 cm) | 15.4 in. (39cm) |
| 80 in. (203.2 cm) | 4.8 in. (12 cm) | 52.8 in. (134 cm) | 20.5 in. (52 cm) |
| 100 in. (254 cm) | 6 in. (15 cm) | 66 in. (168 cm) | 25.9 in. (66cm) |
| 120 in. (304.8 cm) | 7.2 in. (18 cm) | 79.2 in. (201 cm) | 31.1 in. (79cm) |
| 150 in. (381 cm) | 9 in. (23 cm) | 99 in. (251cm) | 38.9 in. (99 cm) |
| 200 in. (508 cm) | 12 in. (30 cm) | 132 in. (335cm) | 51.9 in. (132 cm) |