Pixel pitch: the parameter that determines your visual success
Pixel pitch is the spacing in millimetres between two adjacent pixels on an LED screen. It is THE critical factor that reconciles resolution, viewing distance and budget. Get it wrong and your screen is either blurry or ruinously expensive. Get it right and it is perfect.
Proxiled recommends a simple formula based on your audience's maximum viewing distance.
Basic formula: distance in millimetres / 1,000 = pixel pitch in mm
Example: audience at 10 metres maximum = 10,000 / 1,000 = an optimal pixel pitch of 10 mm.
This formula gives a sharpness that is acceptable to the human eye. It is the recommended threshold below which you start to see the pixels.
Refined calculation: three distance categories
Close range (less than 3 metres): Use a 2-3 mm pixel pitch. The eye picks out every pixel, so the image must be crystal clear. Applications: control rooms, showrooms, galleries.
Medium distance (3-10 metres): A 4-6 mm pixel pitch is optimal. The pixels visually merge into a smooth image. Applications: meeting rooms, auditoriums, upmarket restaurants.
Long distance (10+ metres): A 10-16 mm pixel pitch is enough. Even larger pixels are not visible beyond 15 metres. Applications: stadiums, urban façades, open-air events.
Impact on resolution
For an LED screen 5 metres wide:
- 3 mm pixel pitch: 5,000 mm / 3 = 1,667 pixels wide. In 16:9, this gives 2,560 x 1,440 (close to UHD). Very high cost.
- 5 mm pixel pitch: 5,000 mm / 5 = 1,000 pixels wide. In 16:9, this gives 1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD). Moderate cost.
- 10 mm pixel pitch: 5,000 mm / 10 = 500 pixels wide. In 16:9, this gives 960 x 540 (HD). Low cost.
📷 Photo to be added
Suggestion: a photo related to this section
Budget impact
Typical cost per m²:
- 2-3 mm pixel pitch: €5,000-10,000/m²
- 4-6 mm pixel pitch: €2,000-3,500/m²
- 8-10 mm pixel pitch: €1,500-2,500/m²
- 12-16 mm pixel pitch: €800-1,500/m²
Practical cases with Proxiled
Mobile LED trailer: Audience at 5-15 metres. A 6-8 mm pixel pitch is ideal. Total cost €80,000-150,000. Fast ROI through display rental.
Event video wall: Audience at 3-10 metres. 4-6 mm pixel pitch. Modular flexibility, expandable.
Urban façade: Audience at 10-30 metres. 10-16 mm pixel pitch. Maximum visibility at a reasonable cost.
Common mistake: overestimating resolution
Many people think: "I want 4K, so a 2 mm pixel pitch". Wrong. If your audience is 20 metres away, a 2 mm pixel pitch makes no visible difference; it is pure waste. You would pay 5x more for zero benefit. Proxiled recommends calculating the distance first, then the pixel pitch, and only then the resulting resolution.
Conclusion: a clear method
Determine the maximum viewing distance. Express it in millimetres and divide by 1,000. That is your target pixel pitch. Accept the resolution that follows. Your screen will be optimal for your use case.
Contact ProxiLED for a precise pixel pitch calculation. We analyse your layout and recommend the sweet spot between resolution and budget.