Use the throw calculators below to help plan your dream projector space. Every projector throws a specific image size from a specific distance. That is the throw ratio. Run the numbers before you buy.
Basic asks three questions — your room, your picture, your projector — and gives you a yes-or-no verdict with buy links. Advanced unlocks every dial: throw-distance planning, comparisons, and brightness math.
Pick the size that fits the wall, not the dream. We will show you where the projector needs to sit for it.
Seating is measured from the screen to your eyes. Closer feels like a theater. Too close and you will start seeing pixels.
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This projector takes interchangeable lenses. Pick the one installed to plan with its exact throw ratio.
Search recommended models. .
Use the same number in both boxes if your projector has no optical zoom. You’ll find the throw ratio on the manufacturer’s spec sheet.
Most ceiling mounts use 1.5 in NPT pipe — this is the length you need.
Lens shift moves the image with glass, not software, so the picture stays sharp. Stay inside your model's published shift range.
Measure from the projector’s lens to the screen or wall.
Most matte white screens are 1.0. Grey or ALR screens run lower.
Drag the projector to move it along the throw.
Projectors from the database that fit your room depth and target screen. Ranked by placement flexibility: a wider usable throw range gives you more mounting options.
This calculator is an estimation tool. Throw distances are based on published manufacturer specifications and standard screen math for the selected aspect ratio, and actual placement can vary with zoom position, lens shift, and mounting. Measure your room before buying or mounting, and refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for further information.
A projector's throw ratio (for example, 1.2x–1.5x) is the multiplier between image width and distance: a 1.5x throw needs 1.5 feet of distance for every foot of image width. Zoom lenses give you a range, which is why the calculator shows one. The calculator above uses your exact model's published throw ratio — pick it from the list and the math is done for you.
| Screen Size | Throw Distance |
|---|---|
| 80″ diagonal | 7.0 – 8.7 ft |
| 100″ diagonal | 8.7 – 10.9 ft |
| 120″ diagonal | 10.5 – 13.1 ft |
| 150″ diagonal | 13.1 – 16.3 ft |
As a rule of thumb, sit about 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen width away. Too close and you'll see pixels and crane your neck; too far and you lose the cinematic feel. For a 100-inch screen (about 7.3 ft wide), that's roughly 11–18 ft of seating distance.
Odd room shape, short throw, or mounting constraints? Book a consultation and we'll map your room properly.
Golf Simulator
Plan your sim bay: pick a projector, set your screen and room, and see the throw, the fit, the brightness, and exactly what the unused screen looks like from the hitting mat.
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Disclosure: As an XGIMI Partner Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer: As an eBay Partner, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the shopping links at no additional cost to you.
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Choose your aspect ratio first. Golf sim screens are usually 4:3 or 1:1, and the height fills in automatically from the width.
Drag the sliders to explore - the image size, fit, and brightness update live.
For a ceiling mount, the opener eats into your room: available length is room length minus this distance.
Take it with you
Save your full simulator plan as a file: your projector pick, placement, measurements, the 3D views, setup steps, and recommended accessories, watermarked by BudgetProjectors.org.