What is field of view (FOV) and which setting should you pick?

What field of view means

Field of view, or FOV, is how much of the game world the camera shows at once. It is measured in degrees. A small number is like looking through a narrow window; a large number is like standing back and seeing more of the room.

Drag the slider above. Watch the cone in the top picture widen and more objects fall inside it. A higher FOV lets you spot things at the sides without turning, which is why it matters most in first-person games where enemies can come from anywhere.

The catch: wider is not free

Look at the bottom picture while you push the slider up. Everything gets smaller, because the same screen now has to hold more of the world. Objects near the edges also get stretched sideways, a bit like a wide-angle phone lens. Past about 110 degrees this can look odd, and distant targets become small and harder to pick out.

Wider views also ask the computer to draw more objects per frame, so a very high FOV can cost a little performance. The effect is usually small, but it is real. If you want to know how frame rate feels, see our guide on what refresh rate really changes.

Horizontal, vertical, and why numbers confuse people

Some games show horizontal FOV (left to right). Others use vertical FOV (top to bottom), and a few use a diagonal figure. The same picture can be described as 74 degrees vertical or about 106 degrees horizontal on a 16:9 screen. So a "90" in one game is not always the same view as a "90" in another. When you compare numbers with friends, check which kind the game uses.

Monitor size and distance

The most natural FOV is the one that matches how much of your vision the screen really fills. Use the calculator in the figure. A 27-inch monitor about 60 cm from your eyes fills roughly 50 degrees, much less than the 90 or more many games use. That is normal: games stretch the view on purpose so you can see more than a small window allows.

Treat those as starting points, not rules. Bigger screens and sitting closer both suit a higher FOV, because the image fills more of your eyes.

Console defaults versus PC

PC games usually give you a FOV slider. Many console games lock the value or offer a small range, because the designers assume you sit a few metres from a TV and use a controller. More console games now include a slider, so look in the camera or video options first. If there is none, the default was chosen to look right for that setup, so it is rarely worth worrying about.

Motion comfort

Some people feel queasy in first-person games, and FOV is one common cause. A very low FOV on a big screen can make movement feel like tunnel vision. A very high one can make the edges swim and stretch as you turn. Neither is "wrong"; bodies differ.

• If you feel unwell, try moving the FOV a little in either direction, in steps of about 5 degrees.
• Turn off motion blur and head bob if the game offers them.
• Sit farther from the screen, and play in a lit room.
• Take a break when you feel the first sign of discomfort.

Which setting should you pick?

Start with the default and play for a session. If you feel boxed in or keep getting surprised from the side, raise it by 5 to 10 degrees. If targets look tiny or the edges look warped, lower it. For most people on a desk monitor, somewhere between the default and about 100 degrees works well. Pick whatever feels comfortable and lets you see what you need, and ignore anyone who says there is one correct number.