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How to Choose Correct Fov in Iracing

Clear guide on how to choose correct fov in iRacing for drivers. Explains the problem, gives simple in-sim steps and tips so you can fix FOV and race faster.

If you’re asking how to choose correct fov in iracing, the short answer is: measure your screen width and eye distance, use a FOV calculator (or the simple formula), then enter that degrees value into iRacing and fine‑tune by feel. You’re in the right place to fix this quickly.

Quick Answer: how to choose correct fov in iracing

iRacing expects a horizontal field of view (degrees). Measure the physical width of the visible screen area and the distance from your eyes to the screen, plug those numbers into a FOV calculator (or use FOV = 2·atan(width/(2·distance))). Enter the resulting degree value in iRacing’s FOV setting and adjust ±2–3° if it still feels off.

What’s Really Going On

Field of view (FOV) controls how wide your virtual world appears on the screen. If FOV is wrong you’ll misjudge braking points, turns and car spacing. iRacing uses horizontal FOV in degrees for flat monitors (VR behaves differently). Common issues come from using the wrong screen width (including bezels incorrectly), wrong distance, or confusing vertical vs horizontal FOV.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Measure screen width: measure the visible active display width (not diagonal). For a single monitor, measure the panel’s horizontal size in centimeters or inches.
  2. Measure eye distance: sit in your normal driving position and measure from your eyes to the screen (not the monitor stand).
  3. Use a FOV calculator: enter screen width and eye distance into any online HDD (horizontal FOV) calculator, or use the formula FOV = 2 * arctan(width /(2 * distance)). The result is degrees.
  4. Enter into iRacing: in iRacing go to Options → Graphics (or Camera settings) and set the Field of View to the degree value you calculated. Save it for the car/class you use.
  5. Verify and tweak: load a practice session. If cockpit instruments look too big (zoomed) or the track looks too flat, adjust FOV by ±2–3° until the scale feels natural. Use braking markers/dash text as a reference.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • For multi-monitor setups: use the total visible width across all screens and subtract bezel width where appropriate. Use bezel-compensated values if your setup uses driver’s-eye perspective spanning multiple panels.
  • Don’t use diagonal size: calculators require horizontal width. Diagonal will give the wrong FOV.
  • Units: use the same units (cm or inches) for screen width and distance.
  • VR users: ignore the above—VR headsets have their own FOV and IPD settings; use headset defaults and iRacing’s VR options.
  • If cockpit looks wrong in repeats, clear cached car graphics or re-measure—driver position or monitor mounts may have shifted.

FAQs

Q: Is iRacing FOV horizontal or vertical?
A: iRacing’s FOV setting is horizontal degrees for flat-screen use. Use horizontal measurements in calculators.

Q: My FOV calculator gives a number that still feels wrong. What now?
A: Fine‑tune ±2–3° while testing. Small errors in measurement or sitting position make small changes necessary.

Q: How do I handle triple monitors and bezels?
A: Use the total visible width across the three screens and subtract the bezel gaps. If you use GPU surround (one big display), use the combined width as a single screen.

Q: Will FOV affect my lap time or SR (safety rating)?
A: Yes. Bad FOV can harm braking and positioning, causing mistakes. Correct FOV improves depth perception and consistency.

Short Wrap-Up

Get a precise measurement, use a calculator, set the horizontal degree value in iRacing, then fine‑tune by feel. Do that once and your braking markers, apexes and car spacing will be far more reliable next session.