What is Throw Ratio in Projector & How to Calculate Throw Ratio?

Last Updated on August 12, 2022 by Admin

While looking into the specifications of a Projector, you have seen the term Throw Ratio. Most people ignore it as they don’t understand what it means. But, it is very helpful in setting up your Projector. So, What is Throw Ratio in Projector?

That is what we are going to discuss today. We will also show you How to Calculate Projector Throw Ratio by using an easy and quick method.

But before we explain What is Throw Ratio in Projector, you need to understand What is Projector Throw first.

What is Projector Throw?

The Distance on which a Projector can cast the image is called Projector Throw. 

In simple words: A Projector has a light source on the back end, a display in the center, and a lens on the front end. (There are also other things, but these are basic components)

The light source first passes through the display, then the lens, and falls on the surface (Wall or Projector Screen). Basically, the light coming out of the Projector is called Projector Throw. 

Projector Throw Distance is the distance between the Screen and the Projector. 

Now let’s talk about what is Projector Throw Ratio.

Also, check out How Far to Sit from Projector Screen

What is Throw Ratio in Projector:

If you have seen our reviews, we include the Throw Ratio of a Projector along with other features. You can also find the Throw Ratio of a Projector by looking at its specifications.

So, What is Throw Ratio in Projector?

Throw Ratio helps us find out How far we need to place the Projector, and How Wide our Projector Screen should be.

Here you need to understand three things.

• Distance: The Projector distance is the distance between the Projector and the Screen.

• Width: Only the Width of the Screen is considered here. Not the Length or Size. 

• Throw Ratio: The Throw Ratio in Projector helps you find the Distance for placing the Projector to get the required image width.

Let me explain with an example.

If a Projector specs show it has a 1.5 Throw Ratio, that means you can place the Projector 1.5 feet away if you want to project a 1-foot wide image.

Similarly, if you want to Project 10 feet large image, then you should place the Projector at a distance of 1.5 x 10 = 15 feet away from the screen.

Projector Throw Ratio Calculator:

Projector Distance = Width of the screen x Throw Ratio of the Projector.

(If you want a particular width, and you know the Throw Ratio of your Projector, then you can use this formula to calculate how far you need to place the Projector)

Throw Ratio = Distance of the Projector from the Screen / Width of the Screen.

(If you have placed the Projector at a certain distance, and you know the width of the screen, you can calculate Throw Ratio by using this formula. You can easily find the Distance and Width by using a Measuring Tape)

Screen Width = Projector Distance / Throw Ratio

(If you want to place the Projector on a particular spot, and you know the Throw Ratio of the Projector, you can use this formula to find out the Width of the Screen)

Projector Aspect Ratio & Height:

Throw Ratio is related to Projector Distance and Width of the Screen. But, how to know the Height of the Screen?

You need to know the Aspect Ratio of the Projector first.

If your Projector has an Aspect Ratio of 4:3, and your screen is 10 feet wide.

So, if your width is 10 feet, and the Aspect Ratio of your Projector is 4:3, your height will be 8 feet approximately.

Similarly, if your width is 10 feet, and the Aspect Ratio is 16:9, then the height will be [10 / (16/9)] or 10×9 divided by 16

Which is equal to 5.6 (Approximately 6 feet in Height & 10 feet in Width)

Projectors with Zoom feature:

So, the Throw Ratio of a Projector helps us find the Projector Distance. However, some Projector comes with a zoom feature. Therefore, you can use the Zoom feature to increase or decrease the screen width/size without moving the Projector. 

Hence, some Projectors mention the Throw Ratio range of “1.5 to 1.7”, 1.1 to 1.5, 1.2 to 1.6, etc., instead of providing a single value.

Also, read What is the difference between Throw Ratio Vs Zoom Ratio

So, you can calculate using both the values and place the Projector anywhere between the two values. You can however adjust the screen width a little bit using the Zoom feature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Calculate Projector Throw Ratio?

You can Calculate Projector Throw Ratio by dividing the Distance of the Projector by the Width of the screen.

What is Throw Ratio Range on a Projector?

Throw Ratio different on Different Types of Projectors. 

For instance, the BenQ MH733 1080P Business Projector is a Long Throw Projector that has a Throw Ratio of 1.15 to 1.5 with a 1.3:1 zoom.

On the other hand, the Optoma GT780 is a Short Throw Projector that has a Throw Ratio of 0.52

Here is Optoma Cinemax P2B Smart Ultra Short Throw Projector that has a Throw Ratio of 0.25

They are usually displayed as 0.2:1, 1.15:1, 1.15-1.5:1, etc

What is the Throw Ratio of a Long Throw Projector?

Long Throw Projectors or Standard Projectors usually have a Throw Ratio of 1.10 to 1.70.

What is the Best Throw Ratio in a Projector?

There is nothing like the Best Throw Ratio. You just need to understand that more Throw Ratio means the Projector should be placed far from the screen. Similarly, less Throw Ratio means less distance between the screen and the Projector.

Read more: Ultra Short Throw Vs Short Throw Vs Long Throw Projector

Conclusion:

Now that you understand What is Throw Ratio in Projector, you can use the formula to find the distance between the Projector Screen & Projector. And, you can also choose the Projector Screen Width, by using the Projector Throw Ratio Calculator. If you have any other queries regarding Projector Throw or Projectors, you can comment below.