How to Choose the Right Size for Your Custom LED Screen: A Practical Problem-Solving Guide 

The Real Problem You're Facing

You've already made the decision: you need an LED screen. But now you're stuck with the hardest question that nobody seems to answer clearly:

"What size should I actually get?"

And here's why this matters so much: if you guess wrong, you'll face one of these painful scenarios:

• Too big: You spend $30,000+ on a screen that dominates the space, wastes energy, and your audience actually feels uncomfortable looking at it. Content production becomes a nightmare because you need to fill all that real estate. Years later, you're still regretting the decision.

• Too small: You invest money, but the screen gets ignored. It doesn't create the impact you wanted. Your brand message gets lost. Visitors walk by without even noticing.

• Wrong placement or aspect ratio: Even if the size is decent, the content looks awkward, important details are cut off, and you spend months tweaking content to fit.

This guide solves that problem. By the end, you'll have:

✅ A clear method to calculate YOUR ideal screen size (not generic advice) ✅ The ability to visualize exactly what it'll look like in your space ✅ A realistic cost estimate so there are no surprises ✅ Confidence that you're making the right choice

Problem #1: "I Don't Know How Far My Audience Actually Watches From"

The Real Issue: Most people guess this, and guessing is expensive.

You probably have an intuition: "People stand about 5 meters away." But is that where they actually are? Or is that just where they start? Do they move closer? Do some people watch from 2 meters while others are at 10 meters?

The Solution: Measure Your Actual Viewing Distances

Here's what you need to do, step by step:

1. Visit your space during peak hours (if it's a business, this might be during customer rush; if it's an auditorium, during a full event)

2. Mark where people naturally stand or sit to view the area where your screen will be

   • The closest point: ___ meters

   • The farthest point: ___ meters

   • The most common viewing distance: ___ meters

3. Note the viewing angles

   • Do people view it straight on, or from the side?

   • Do they look up, down, or eye-level?

   • Do they stop and stare, or glance while walking?

Why this matters: If most people are 3 meters away but you install a massive screen designed for 15-meter viewing, it'll look overwhelming and uncomfortable. If people are 10 meters away but you install a small screen, they won't be able to read your text.

Real Example: The Hotel Lobby That Got It Wrong

A hotel client told us, "We want a big screen in the lobby to impress guests." When we watched their lobby for 30 minutes, here's what we found:

• Guests entering the lobby: average viewing distance = 8 meters

• Guests checking in at the desk: viewing distance = 2-3 meters

• Guests walking through to the elevator: viewing distance = 5 meters

Their original plan? A 6-meter screen positioned 2 meters above the floor.

The problem: Guests walking through would look at it from the side and far away. Guests at the desk would have to crane their necks up to see it. It wouldn't work for any viewing scenario.

Our solution: A 5-meter-wide screen, positioned lower (1.5 meters) at a wider viewing angle.

The result: Every type of guest—arriving, checking in, or leaving—could see it comfortably. They didn't need to move it; they just repositioned it based on real viewing patterns.

Problem #2: "Can People Actually Read the Content From That Distance?"

The Real Issue: A screen can be visible and still useless if your content isn't readable.

You can see something from 10 meters away. But can you read the text? Can you make out the details? That's a completely different question.

The Solution: Understand Pixel Pitch and Content Clarity

Pixel pitch (often written as "P2.5" or "P3.0") is the distance between pixels on your screen. It directly determines how clear your content will be at different distances.

Here's the simple rule:

• For text, detailed graphics, or small data: Use smaller pixel pitch (P1.5 to P2.5)

• For video or brand animations: Medium pixel pitch (P3 to P4) works fine

• For outdoor, far-distance viewing: Larger pixel pitch (P5+) is acceptable

How to Know What You Actually Need

Ask yourself: What's the main content you'll display?

If it's product information, prices, or detailed menus:

• People need to read clearly from their typical viewing distance

• A person at 3 meters needs to see the text crisp and sharp

• Example: A retail store → P2.5 is better than P3.5

• Cost difference: ~10-15% more, but your content is actually usable

If it's brand videos, animations, or promotional content:

• Clarity is important, but not as critical as impact

• People watch for visual effect, not detail

• Example: Hotel lobby → P3 to P3.5 is perfect

• You save 10-15% on cost and still look professional

If it's wayfinding or directional info:

• This falls between the two—people need to read it quickly, but not from extremely far

• Example: Airport sign → P2.5 to P3.0

Let's Make This Concrete

Scenario 1: You're a retail store

• Your customers stand 2-4 meters away

• You want to display product prices and descriptions

• You need: P2.5 or smaller

• Why: At 3 meters away, text needs to be crisp. Anything larger will be hard to read.

Scenario 2: You're a restaurant

• People view the menu board from 1-2 meters away

• You need: P2.0 or smaller (even sharper than retail)

• Why: Menu information needs crystal clarity

Scenario 3: You're a hotel lobby

• People see the screen from 5-10 meters away

• Content is mostly brand video and welcome messages

• You need: P3 to P3.5

• Why: They don't need to read fine details—they just need to see movement and feel the presence

Problem #3: "What Size Actually Fits My Space (Without Looking Weird)?"

The Real Issue: You can't just measure the wall and assume that's the right size. A screen the exact size of your wall might look cramped, awkward, or inappropriate.

The Solution: Map Your Space Properly and Use Visualization

This is where most projects fail. People decide on size without thinking about:

• What's above, below, and to the sides of the screen?

• How does it look from different angles in the room?

• Will it visually compete with other important elements, or blend naturally?

Step 1: Create Your Space Map (Do This Now)

You need to understand:

1. The wall dimensions - How wide and tall is the wall?

2. Obstructions - What will block the view?

   • Pillars or support beams

   • Shelves, counters, or furniture

   • Windows or glass doors

   • Doorways people will walk through

   • Lighting fixtures

3. The viewing zone - Where do people actually spend time?

   • Draw a 2-3 meter radius around where people stop

   • Mark all the places they might watch from

   • Identify any "dead zones" where people can't see

4. Vertical sight lines - Not just distance, but angles

   • If your screen is 3 meters high and someone is 2 meters away, they'll look straight up

   • If your screen is 1.5 meters high and someone is 5 meters away, they'll look down slightly

   • Both are uncomfortable beyond a certain angle

Step 2: Test Different Sizes Virtually

Here's where our free tool solves everything for you.

Instead of guessing or drawing complicated diagrams, you can:

✅ Upload a photo of your actual space - Just take one clear picture of where the screen will go ✅ Overlay different screen sizes - See what 3 meters looks like vs. 5 meters vs. 7 meters, all in your real environment ✅ Check viewing angles - Simulate how it looks from different positions in your space ✅ Verify there are no hidden obstructions - You'll immediately see if a pillar blocks the view ✅ Visualize the final result - No more surprises after installation

Real Example: The Retail Store That Wasted $20,000

A shop owner was convinced they needed a 10-meter screen. "Bigger is better," they thought.

When we used the visualization tool with a photo of their space, we discovered:

• A structural pillar divided the space in half

• Shelving 3 meters in front of the wall created a "dead zone"

• The main customer sightline was actually only 4 meters wide, not the full 10-meter wall

• A 10-meter screen would have been 60% wasted space

What we recommended: A 4-meter screen positioned above the shelving, angled slightly down

The actual outcome:

• Perfect visibility for all customers

• $12,000 saved on hardware

• Lower energy costs

• The space looked intentional, not cramped

How they knew it would work: They saw it in the visualization tool before ordering anything.

Problem #4: "How Much Is This Actually Going to Cost?"

The Real Issue: You have a budget, but you don't know how screen size translates to actual cost.

Most vendors give vague estimates like "$2,000 to $15,000" which doesn't help. What you need is: "For my specific space, with my specific requirements, what will this cost?"

The Solution: Calculate Your Real Costs Based on Your Actual Needs

LED screen costs break down like this:

Hardware Cost (Biggest variable)

• Smaller screens (under 4 meters): $8,000 - $15,000

• Medium screens (4-6 meters): $15,000 - $35,000

• Large screens (6-10 meters): $35,000 - $60,000+

• Note: Cost doesn't scale linearly. 6 meters isn't 50% more than 4 meters—it's often 80-100% more.

Installation & Integration

• Simple wall mounting: +$2,000 - $5,000

• Complex installation (custom mounting, structural work): +$5,000 - $15,000

• Ceiling-mounted or wraparound: +$10,000 - $25,000+

Annual Operating Costs

• Small screen (3m, P3.0): ~$1,200/year in electricity

• Medium screen (5m, P2.5): ~$2,800/year

• Large screen (8m, P2.0): ~$5,500/year

Content Production (Often forgotten!)

• Initial content creation: $3,000 - $10,000

• Ongoing updates: $500 - $2,000/month

Let's Make This Real: Three Scenarios

Scenario 1: Small Retail Store (3 meters wide)

• Hardware: $12,000

• Installation: $3,000

• Annual operating: $1,200

• First year total: $16,200

• 5-year cost: $22,200

• Question: Will this 3-meter screen increase your revenue by more than $4,000/year? If yes, it's a win.

Scenario 2: Medium Hotel Lobby (5.5 meters wide)

• Hardware: $28,000

• Installation: $7,000

• Annual operating: $3,000

• First year total: $38,000

• 5-year cost: $53,000

• Question: Will improved lobby presence increase bookings or rates enough to justify this? Calculate: If this leads to just 5 extra bookings per month at $150 premium per booking, you've covered the cost in 2 years.

Scenario 3: Large Meeting Room (6 meters wide)

• Hardware: $35,000

• Installation: $5,000

• Annual operating: $3,500

• First year total: $43,500

• 5-year cost: $61,500

• Question: Does better presentation equipment justify this cost vs. renting an external venue? Most companies find it does within 1-2 years.

How Our Tool Helps Here

Our visualization tool automatically calculates:

• Hardware cost for each screen size you test

• Installation complexity (which determines labor cost)

• Annual energy consumption and estimated cost

• Maintenance cost ranges

So you don't have to make rough guesses. You get actual numbers for your specific scenario.

Problem #5: "How Do I Know This Will Actually Work for My Content?"

The Real Issue: Even with the right size and price, you might end up with a screen that doesn't display your content well.

Maybe your content is mostly text, but you chose a screen designed for video. Maybe you want 4K detail, but you went with a lower-grade pixel pitch. Maybe your content is mostly static, but you're paying premium for a high-refresh-rate screen built for sports.

The Solution: Match Your Screen to Your Actual Content

Content Type Determines Optimal Specs

If your content is: Detailed product information, menus, schedules, data

• You need: High clarity, good text rendering

• Screen choice: P2.0 to P2.5, standard refresh rate (60Hz)

• Why: People stop and read. Clarity matters more than speed.

• Cost: Slightly higher than video-optimized screens, but worth it for readability

If your content is: Brand videos, promotions, wayfinding

• You need: Good color, decent clarity, smooth video

• Screen choice: P3 to P3.5, standard refresh rate (60Hz)

• Why: People watch briefly. Impact matters more than fine detail.

• Cost: Standard cost—good value for this use case

If your content is: Live sports, fast-moving events, stock tickers

• You need: Fast refresh rate, high frame rate

• Screen choice: Any size, but 120Hz+ refresh rate

• Why: Motion artifacts ruin the viewing experience

• Cost: 15-25% premium for high-refresh hardware

If your content is: Mix of everything

• You need: Versatile, mid-range specs

• Screen choice: P2.5, 60Hz standard

• Why: Covers most bases without overpaying for features you don't need

Real Example: The Corporate Client Who Overpaid

A corporate client wanted a screen for their conference room. They'd been quoted a high-end sports-grade display (120Hz, premium cooling, expensive).

We asked: "What will you actually display?"

Answer: PowerPoint presentations, video calls, sometimes a company video.

Our recommendation: A standard-grade P2.5 display with 60Hz refresh

• PowerPoint presentations: ✅ Crystal clear

• Video calls: ✅ Perfectly smooth at 60Hz

• Marketing videos: ✅ Beautiful motion

• Live sports? No. But they'll never show that anyway.

Result: They saved $8,000 on hardware that they didn't need, and the display works perfectly for their actual use case.

Problem #6: "How Do I Make Sure This Won't Look Wrong in My Space?"

The Real Issue: Even the perfect-sized, perfect-spec screen can look terrible if it's integrated poorly. Maybe it clashes with the aesthetics. Maybe it's positioned awkwardly. Maybe the framing is off.

The Solution: Use Visualization Before Committing

This is critical, and it's the reason many people regret their purchases: they couldn't actually see what they were buying until after it was installed.

What You Should Check Before Installation

1. Visual proportion - Does the screen size feel right for the space?

   • Too small = looks like an afterthought

   • Too big = looks forced or overwhelming

2. Positioning and framing - Where exactly should it hang?

   • How much edge space should there be on the sides?

   • Should there be content on the wall around the screen?

   • Does it frame an entrance, wrap a corner, or dominate a wall?

3. Height and viewing angle - Is it positioned comfortably?

   • Screen center should be roughly at eye level or slightly above for seated viewers

   • For standing viewers, 15-30 degrees above eye level is comfortable for extended viewing

4. Lighting and glare - Will there be problems?

   • Direct sunlight reflection?

   • Harsh lighting overhead?

   • Shadows from fixtures?

How to Solve This: The Visualization Tool

Upload a photo of your space, and you can:

• See exactly how different sizes look in your space

• Check for visual balance and proportion

• Verify that no obstructions block the view

• Understand the actual viewing angles from different positions

• Confirm that the aesthetic works for your space

This single step prevents 90% of post-installation regrets.

Problem #7: "I'm Still Not 100% Sure—What If I Choose Wrong?"

The Real Issue: Even with all this information, there's still uncertainty. What if you overthink and choose wrong anyway?

The Solution: Get Actual Expert Feedback on Your Specific Situation

After you use the visualization tool and get your initial recommendation, you might have questions like:

• "Should I go 4.5 meters or 5.5 meters—which is actually better for my use case?"

• "The tool shows this cost, but is this realistic for my installation complexity?"

• "How will this screen integrate with my existing technology?"

• "Is modular expansion an option if I want to grow later?"

This is when you can get professional guidance:

1. Share your visualization - The tool generates a shareable link to your space, your screen placement, and your options

2. Our team reviews it - We look at your specific situation and answer your exact questions

3. Get a custom recommendation - We tell you which size, specs, and configuration actually works best for you

4. Installation confidence - You know exactly what you're getting and why it's the right choice

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

RIGHT NOW (5 minutes)

✅ Gather what you need:

• A clear photo of your space (where the screen will go)

• A rough idea of your budget

• An understanding of your main content type (video, text, mix of both)

IMMEDIATELY AFTER (10 minutes)

✅ Use our free LED screen visualization tool:

1. Upload your photo

2. Test 2-3 different screen sizes

3. Check how each looks from different viewing positions

4. See the cost estimate for each option

5. Take note of which feels most balanced

SAME DAY (10 minutes)

✅ Answer these questions:

• Which size looked best in your space?

• What's the cost estimate for that size?

• Does it fit your budget?

• Do you feel confident about this choice?

If yes: You're ready to move forward. If no: Move to the next step.

IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS (5 minutes)

✅ Get expert feedback:

1. Share your visualization results with us

2. Tell us what's making you uncertain

3. Get a clear, personalized recommendation

That's it. You now have professional validation and confidence.

FINAL STEP: Installation

Once you're confident, we handle everything else—design, technical integration, installation, content setup, and ongoing support.

What You'll Have After This Process

By following this guide and using our tool, you will have:

✅ A clear, justified decision - You know exactly what size you need and why ✅ Visual confirmation - You've seen your screen in your actual space (virtually) ✅ Realistic cost projection - No surprises after installation ✅ Content-appropriate specs - You're not overpaying for features you don't need ✅ Professional guidance - If needed, you get expert input before committing ✅ Confidence - You can move forward without regret

Start Here: Use the Free Visualization Tool

You don't need to email us yet. You don't need to schedule a call yet. You don't need to make any commitment.

Just:

1. Take a photo of your space

2. Upload it to our free visualization tool

3. See your options - different sizes, costs, and visual effects

4. Know your answer - most people have their decision within 15 minutes

[Use the Free LED Screen Visualization Tool Now]

If you have questions after using the tool, or if you want expert confirmation, we're here. But many people walk away with their answer right there—no guesswork, no regrets.

Why This Approach Works

We could have written a generic article about LED screens. But you don't need generic. You need a solution to your specific problem: choosing the right size for your space without overspending, looking ridiculous, or regretting it later.

This guide, combined with our visualization tool, gives you exactly that:

• Clear methods to solve your specific problem

• Visual proof before you commit

• Real cost data

• Professional backup if you need it

That's how you choose the right LED screen size. Not by guessing. Not by copying your competitor. But by understanding your space, your content, and your needs—and making a confident, informed decision.

Ready? [Start Your Free Visualization Now]

At Ekintry, we believe the best LED screen is the one that fits your world perfectly. Let's help you find it.