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How to choose an LED poster pixel pitch
Pixel pitch is the single specification that decides whether your poster looks sharp or blocky - and it is the one that moves the price most. Get it right and you stop paying for resolution nobody can see.
What pixel pitch actually means
Pixel pitch is the distance, in millimetres, between the centres of two neighbouring LED clusters. P2.5 means the clusters sit 2.5 mm apart. Because the clusters are spaced at a fixed interval, a smaller number packs more of them into the same panel - and more clusters means a sharper image.
The trade is straightforward: finer pitch costs more, because there are more LEDs, more driver ICs and tighter manufacturing tolerances on every cabinet.
The rule of thumb that does the work
Minimum comfortable viewing distance in metres is roughly the pitch in millimetres multiplied by 1.5 to 2. It is an approximation, but it is accurate enough to make the buying decision:
- P1.25 - comfortable from about 2 m. For counters, cabinets and anywhere a customer leans in.
- P1.86 - comfortable from about 3 m. The general retail default.
- P2.5 - comfortable from about 4-5 m. Aisle ends and corridors.
- P3.9 - comfortable from about 6-8 m. Storefront windows and holographic panels.
- P6.25 - comfortable from 10 m and beyond. Large transparent panels across a void.
Pitch, distance and cost at a glance
| Pitch | Spacing | View from | Typical position | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1.25 | 1.25 mm | 2-3 m | Counter units, fitting rooms, luxury cabinets | Highest |
| P1.53 | 1.53 mm | 3-4 m | Boutique windows, reception desks | High |
| P1.86 | 1.86 mm | 3-5 m | General retail, showrooms | Medium |
| P2.5 | 2.5 mm | 4-6 m | Aisle ends, mall corridors | Medium |
| P2.9 / P3.9 | 2.9-3.9 mm | 5-10 m | Storefront windows, holographic panels | Lower |
| P6.25 | 6.25 mm | 8-15 m | Large transparent panels, long sightlines | Lowest |
Worked example: a boutique window
A fashion boutique wants a poster in the window. Customers passing on the pavement are roughly 2-3 m away, and the screen also has to look good to someone standing at the glass. That puts the requirement at P1.53 or P1.86 - both available on ourindoor LED poster in a 640 x 1920 mm cabinet. Choosing P2.5 here would save money up front and cost you the sale every time someone reads the pixels instead of the product.
Worked example: a mall atrium
A screen hung in an atrium is mostly viewed from the upper floors, 10 m or more away. There is no benefit in P1.25. Ahanging holographic panel at P3.9 - or P6.25 for the largest sizes - resolves perfectly at that distance, weighs a fraction of a solid panel, and keeps the atrium bright because you can see through it.
The three mistakes we see most
- Buying the finest pitch available "to be safe". Nobody at 8 m can tell. You have paid for invisible resolution.
- Ignoring the viewing angle. A panel viewed from the side at a sharp angle needs a finer pitch to stay readable than the same panel viewed head-on.
- Specifying pitch but not brightness. They are separate. A fine-pitch panel behind a sunlit window still disappears at 800 cd/m2.
Where to go next
If the screen will be behind glass and you need daylight to keep passing through, read about holographic LED posters. If you are weighing LED against LCD entirely, that is aseparate decision.
Tell us the viewing distance and the mounting position and we will specify the pitch - and the brightness - in one answer.
Common questions
What is pixel pitch?
The distance in millimetres from the centre of one LED cluster to the next. Smaller pitch means more LEDs per square metre, which means a sharper picture - and usually a higher price.
How do I convert pitch to viewing distance?
A working rule: minimum comfortable viewing distance in metres is roughly the pitch in millimetres multiplied by 1.5 to 2. So P2.5 is comfortable from about 4 m, and P1.86 from about 3 m.
What happens if I choose too coarse a pitch?
Viewers close up will see the individual LED grid instead of a smooth image, and small text will look blocky. In a shop where customers stand two metres away, that reads as cheap.
What happens if I choose too fine a pitch?
You pay for resolution nobody can perceive. If the nearest viewer is eight metres away, P1.25 and P2.5 look identical to them - but the P1.25 costs substantially more.
Does pixel pitch affect brightness?
Indirectly. Fine-pitch panels pack LEDs densely, which can raise brightness, but the dominant factor is the LED type and drive current. Always check the brightness figure in cd/m2 separately from the pitch.
How do I calculate the resolution I will get?
Divide the active area in millimetres by the pitch. A 640 x 1920 mm cabinet at P2.5 gives 256 x 768 pixels. At P1.86 the same cabinet gives 344 x 1032.