What is Pixel Pitch? The Essential Metric for LED Video Wall Resolution

Pixel pitch is the distance between the centers of two adjacent pixels (or LEDs) on a display, measured in millimeters (mm), and it indicates pixel density and affects image sharpness and optimal viewing distance.

What’s more, it involves these core aspects:

• Measurement: It’s calculated from the center of one pixel to the center of the next. For example, a P3.9 rating signifies exactly 3.9mm of spacing.

• Density and Resolution: A smaller pixel pitch indicates higher density, meaning it will also provide a sharper image for viewing.

• The Distance Trade-off: While a finer pitch is superior for close-up viewing, a larger pixel pitch is more cost-effective for long-distance applications like outdoor billboards.

By learning how to use this metric, you can maximise image quality without overspending.

Pixel Pitch Definition: Impact on Visual Fidelity and Cost

If you’re planning to get an LED screen for promoting your business, the pixel pitch determines the visual quality of your display and your overall project budget. Plus, getting this metric right ensures audience comfort and a high return on investment.

Resolution, Density, and Visual Quality

Pixel pitch describes the density of diodes. For example, a smaller pixel pitch measurement reduces the empty space between LEDs, resulting in higher resolution and smoother image borders.

However, this increased density requires more LEDs per square meter, thereby increasing the cost of an LED video wall.

Moreover, the technical drawback is that if your audience is more than 5 or 8 meters away, the visual benefits of an expensive, low-pitch system are imperceptible to the human eye, making the extra expenditure a wasted investment.

Determining Optimal Viewing Distance

Pixel pitch is also linked to the user experience, with a smaller pitch allowing for a much closer optimal viewing distance without the viewer seeing individual dots.

• Indoor Corporate & Retail: For conference rooms or luxury boutiques where viewers are close, a pitch of 1.5 to 2.9mm is better for crisp text.

• Outdoor & Large Format: For a billboard over an expressway or high up on a building facade, a higher 10mm pitch can balance clarity with cost-efficiency. 

Industry Formulas for Calculating Viewing Distance

How do professionals decide which pitch to use?

To ensure their investment yields the highest visual impact, professionals use specific technical methodologies to define the pixel pitch relative to the space. These formulas help determine the threshold where the human eye no longer perceives individual pixels:

Methodology 1 & 2: Quick Estimates vs. Visual Acuity

To determine what pixel pitch is ideal for your specific venue, you can rely on two primary calculation methods to establish a baseline:

• The 10x Rule: This is a shorthand method for a quick approximation. Simply multiply the pixel pitch by 10 to find the approximate viewing distance in feet.

• Visual Acuity Distance: Also referred to as “retina distance”, this considers an individual with 20/20 vision. The calculation determines the distance this person must move away from the LED display to ensure the image is not pixelated. Moreover, visual acuity distance in millimeters is determined by multiplying the pixel pitch by 3,438.

Methodology 3: Average Comfortable Viewing Distance

While formulas provide a baseline, the average comfortable viewing distance is a more subjective metric. Determining a good pixel pitch also involves real-world variables, such as ambient lighting and the type of content being displayed.

For instance, fast-moving video versus static, high-detail text. In most corporate or retail settings, this practical estimate ensures the LED video wall remains visually pleasing without causing eye fatigue.

Ultimately, these formulas are essential guides, but the final selection must be optimised for the owner’s specific audience and environmental constraints.

Finalizing Your Investment: The Pixel Pitch Selection

Selecting the right resolution is the most critical step in your procurement process, and with the right pixel pitch, you can align your technical requirements with your budget to ensure maximum visual impact.

The Best Value Equation

To achieve the highest ROI from a specific LED screen size, you should aim for the ideal resolution and cost:

• Prioritize Minimum Viewing Distance: Identify the closest point your audience will stand.

• Maximize the Pitch: Choose the highest possible monitor pixel pitch that maintains image fidelity at that distance.

• Optimize Budget: This strategy prevents overspending on high-density modules where the extra detail is physically invisible to viewers, providing the best value for your LED video wall.

See the Difference In-Person

While calculating visual acuity and comfortable viewing distance is helpful, nothing replaces a physical demonstration. Seeing different configurations side by side lets you define the pixel pitch requirements for your specific project.

Visit JX Video Wall’s showroom at Sim Lim Tower to explore our range of LED screens. Our team can demonstrate various pixel pitches in person, helping you find the perfect balance between clarity and cost for your next presentation or advertising LED screen.