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Best Fov Settings in Iracing

Simple, step-by-step guide to the best fov settings in iRacing for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing—set FOV to improve depth perception and feel.


If you’ve ever loaded iRacing, blinked at the FOV options, and felt lost, you’re not alone. The right field of view makes speeds believable, braking zones clear, and overtakes possible. This guide explains the best fov settings in iracing for iRacing beginners and anyone new to iRacing who wants a quick, confidence-building setup.

best fov settings in iracing

Quick answer: The best fov settings in iracing are the ones that match your real eye-to-screen distance and screen size — usually a calculated horizontal FOV (or vertical FOV if your software uses that). Use an FOV calculator or the in-sim method and aim for natural proportions, not “what looks zoomed.”

Why this matters for beginners

FOV controls how much of the world you see and how near or far objects appear. A bad FOV makes corners feel too sharp or too slow, wrecks your depth perception, and ruins muscle memory. For iRacing beginners, correct FOV reduces guesswork, helps judging braking points, and makes learning how iRacing works far less frustrating.

Simple step-by-step guide (3 easy steps)

  1. Measure eye-to-screen distance: Sit in your usual driving position and measure from your eyes to the center of the screen (in centimeters or inches).
  2. Use an FOV calculator: Input screen width and distance into any trusted FOV calculator (many free ones online) to get horizontal or vertical FOV values.
  3. Apply and test: Enter that FOV in iRacing or your wheel software, drive a familiar track at low speed, and compare braking markers. If corners feel “wrong,” adjust by small increments (±1–2°).

If you have a triple-monitor or curved setup, calculate FOV for the total visible width. For VR, start with headset default and tweak toward the calculated value.

Common mistakes new drivers make

  • Picking a visually “cool” zoom (too narrow): makes objects appear closer and skews judging. Fix: return to your measured value.
  • Copying someone else blindly: their setup depends on screen size and seating position. Fix: calculate for your gear.
  • Ignoring VR or triple-screen differences: FOV behaves differently; treat each display type separately.

Quick pro tips

  • Prefer small adjustments: change in 1–2° steps and test for 5–10 laps.
  • Use in-car reference points (brake board, turn-in marks) to judge correctness.
  • Save FOV presets per car class — touring cars need different feel than open-wheel.
  • When stuck, ask friendly communities (iRacing Discord groups often help with screenshots and quick fixes).

FAQs

Q: Should I use horizontal or vertical FOV?
A: Use whichever your tool or hardware supports. For widescreens, horizontal is common; some sims prefer vertical—use a calculator to convert.

Q: Does FOV affect lap times?
A: Indirectly. Correct FOV improves depth perception and confidence, which helps consistency and lap times.

Q: Is there one “best” FOV for all cars?
A: No. Different cars and setups call for slightly different FOVs. Save presets per car type.

Q: Can I change FOV mid-session?
A: You can, but changing often can disrupt feel. Tweak between sessions until comfortable.

Final takeaways

Start by measuring and calculating, apply the value, then fine-tune with small steps. For your next session: measure your eye-to-screen distance, run the FOV calculator, apply the value, and drive 10 laps to feel the difference. These iRacing tips will make learning how iRacing works easier and more enjoyable.