FOV Calculator

Calculate the suggested FOV (Field of View) based on your chosen game and monitor setup.

What is FOV?

Field Of View (FOV) in sim racing games refers to how much of the game world you can see on your screen while driving.

When using the cockpit camera, a lower FOV makes it seem like you're sitting closer to the dashboard, so you see less of the surroundings. For example, with an FOV of 100 in a game, you might see part of the driver’s and passenger's windows. But with an FOV of 50, you wouldn't see either window.

Why is FOV important?

In theory, FOV shouldn't affect how fast you drive. In practice, setting it correctly is very important.

This is due to several reasons, including:

• Sense of Speed - a proper FOV enhances your sense of speed. Usually, our perception of speed can differ, and the closer the camera is, the slower we think we are going. This can help make the driving feel less chaotic and more controlled.
• Realism and Immersion - a correct FOV setting makes the game look more like real life. It helps you judge distances and speeds better.
• Comfort - a good FOV can make the game more comfortable to play and reduce motion sickness.

Many people claim that correcting their FOV helped them be more consistent in their driving [1].

How Close Should I Sit to the Monitor for Sim Racing?

In sim racing, compared to regular computer work, we usually sit much closer to the monitor to enhance immersion. The distance you sit from the monitor largely depends on its size, but typically, sim racers sit about 24 inches (60 cm) away from the main monitor. This setup often places you just behind the wheelbase, which is located right behind the monitor.

Practical Tip:

An easy way to find the ideal setup for your specific monitor size is to search for it online. For example, you can type "[monitor size] sim racing" on YouTube, like "27-inch monitor sim racing" or "triple 32-inch sim racing."

This way, you can see how professional sim racers arrange their setups and adjust yours accordingly.

Is this calculator correct?

This calculator is based on the well-known and respected FOV script by dinex86 and contributors [2]. The results should be pretty accurate and provide a great starting point for finding your ideal FOV.

However, remember that at the end of the day, FOV is primarily based on your preferences. You can adjust it further and even change your seating position (e.g., raising it slightly for better visibility).

If you're not sure whether you have set a "good" FOV, the best idea is to take a picture of your entire setup (including the chair) and ask more experienced drivers on relevant subreddits or sim racing Discord servers.