Curved monitor radius calculator
Check how well a curved monitor's radius (R) matches your viewing distance, and see the horizontal field of view it creates.
Curve match result
Curve match for your distance
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Enter your setup.
- Ideal radius for this distance
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- Your curve
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- Screen width
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- Horizontal field of view
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How it works
A curved monitor's radius of curvature (R, for example 1800R) is the radius in millimeters of the circular arc matching the display's curve. A smaller R means a more pronounced curve. The optimal seating distance roughly equals the radius, keeping every point on the screen about the same distance from your eyes.
- Enter your screen size and ratio
Used to work out the screen's physical width.
- Pick the curve radius
Check your monitor's spec sheet; it is usually printed as a number followed by R.
- Enter your viewing distance
Measure roughly from your eyes to the screen.
The match and field-of-view formulas
ideal R = distance; match % = min(idealR, R) ÷ max(idealR, R) × 100
The match score compares your curve radius with the radius that would exactly equal your viewing distance; 100% means a perfect match either way. 80% and up is rated an excellent match, 50 to 79% a good match, and below 50% suggests sitting closer, further, or trying a different curve.
field of view = 2 × arcsin(screen width ÷ (2 × R))
A 34-inch 21:9 monitor is about 800mm wide. At 1500R and viewed from 700mm, the match is 700 ÷ 1500 = 47%, a good but not excellent match; the curve is a little tighter than that distance calls for.
Curve versus size
Larger screens benefit more from curvature. A curve on a 27-inch 16:9 monitor is rarely noticeable, but it becomes meaningful on 34-inch and wider ultrawides, and especially on 49-inch super-ultrawides.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1800R or 1500R mean on a curved monitor?
The number before "R" is the radius of the curvature circle in millimeters. An 1800R monitor curves along an arc with an 1800mm (180cm) radius; a 1500R monitor curves more tightly, with a 1500mm radius. The smaller the R value, the more aggressive the curve. The recommended viewing distance roughly equals the radius: sit about 1.8m from an 1800R panel and 1.5m from a 1500R panel for even edge-to-center distance.
Does a curved monitor reduce eye strain compared to a flat panel?
For single-seat, close-distance use, a curve matched to the viewing distance keeps all screen points at about the same focal distance, which can reduce constant focal adjustment across a wide field of view. Evidence from ergonomics studies is mixed, but users of 32-inch and wider ultrawides (34 to 49 inches) consistently report reduced strain with curvature. Flat panels stay preferred in multi-viewer settings, since the curve benefits mainly the center seat.
Is a 1000R curve too aggressive for a desktop monitor?
1000R (a 1 meter radius) is the most extreme curvature currently sold, typically on 49-inch super-ultrawides. At a standard 60 to 70cm desk distance, a 1000R curve is more pronounced than that distance calls for, and the edges can appear to wrap noticeably toward you. Manufacturers typically recommend sitting about 1 meter from 1000R panels. For displays under 32 inches, 1800R or 1500R is usually more appropriate.
Does a curved monitor affect image quality compared to flat panels?
Curved panels can introduce slight geometric distortion in straight vertical lines near the edges, visible on strict test patterns. For photography and graphic design, where geometric accuracy matters, flat panels are preferred. For gaming and everyday productivity the distortion is rarely noticeable. Color uniformity can also vary slightly from center to edge on curved panels, due to changing light angles on the backlight.
What is the field of view angle at a given curved monitor size and viewing distance?
The calculator derives the arc angle in degrees from the screen width and radius: angle equals 2 times arcsine of width divided by twice the radius. A 34-inch 21:9 monitor is roughly 800mm wide; at 1800R the arc spans about 25 degrees. Viewed from 600mm, the horizontal field of view is about 68 degrees. The THX recommendation for cinematic immersion is a 40 degree viewing angle, meaning users can often sit closer to large curved ultrawides than traditional ergonomic guidelines suggest.