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How to Setup Monitor for Iracing

Calm step-by-step guide for iRacing beginners on how to setup monitor for iracing. Learn resolution, FOV, scaling and quick tips to get a comfortable view fast.

If you’ve ever sat down to race and felt like the world was either too small or oddly stretched, you’re not alone. This guide explains how to setup monitor for iracing in plain language so new to iRacing drivers can see the track clearly and feel confident on their first laps.

Quick Answer — how to setup monitor for iracing

Set your monitor resolution to your display’s native setting, run iRacing in fullscreen, match the in-sim resolution and refresh rate, and set a comfortable field-of-view (FOV). Adjust Windows scaling only if UI elements are too small. These basics give the clearest image and correct steering perspective.

Why this matters for beginners

For iRacing beginners, a poor monitor setup causes confusing depth, wrong steering feel, and distraction. When you know how iRacing works visually — resolution, FOV, and HUD scaling — lap times and confidence improve quickly. Getting the display right means you’re practicing real driving skills, not fighting your screen.

Simple step-by-step guide

  1. Check your monitor’s native resolution (look in Windows Display Settings) and set Windows to that resolution.
  2. In iRacing options → Graphics, choose Fullscreen and pick the matching resolution and refresh rate.
  3. Set Aspect Ratio to match your monitor (16:9 for most).
  4. Use iRacing’s FOV calculator or the built-in slider: sit where you will race and adjust until roadside objects scale realistically.
  5. If HUD text is tiny, increase iRacing’s UI scale rather than Windows scaling to avoid blurring.

Common mistakes (and fixes)

  • Mistake: Running windowed mode with mismatched resolution. Fix: Use fullscreen and match resolutions to avoid scaling artifacts.
  • Mistake: Very wide FOV making cars look distant. Fix: Reduce FOV incrementally until distances and braking points feel natural.
  • Mistake: Changing Windows scaling to 125–150% and blurring the sim. Fix: Keep Windows at 100% and use in-sim UI scale.

Quick pro tips

  • Use the monitor’s native refresh rate (60/144/240 Hz) and enable V-Sync or a frame limiter only if you see tearing.
  • For single-monitor setups, center the camera; for triples, ensure bezels are accounted for in FOV.
  • If you’re new to iRacing, start with default graphics and tweak one setting per session.
  • Save a screenshot of your ideal settings so you can revert if an update changes things.
  • For headset or peripheral UI scaling (e.g., VR or HUD overlays), consult device docs—small differences matter.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a gaming monitor for iRacing?
A: No. A good quality monitor with correct resolution and refresh rate is enough. Higher refresh rates and lower response times help smoothness but aren’t mandatory for learning.

Q: What FOV should I use?
A: There’s no single number—use the in-sim slider or calculator and adjust while seated in your normal driving position until track objects look proportional.

Q: My text is tiny — should I change Windows scale?
A: Prefer changing iRacing’s UI scale first. Only change Windows scaling if absolutely necessary and you accept some blurring.

Q: Is triple-monitor setup better?
A: Triples give more peripheral vision but require careful FOV and bezel correction. For many iRacing beginners, a single 27–32" 1440p monitor is simpler and very effective.

Final takeaways Start simple: native resolution, fullscreen, correct refresh rate, and comfortable FOV. Tweak one thing per session and you’ll notice faster improvement. Try these settings in your next practice and you’ll spend less time fixing the view and more time learning to race.