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How to Get Realistic View in Iracing

Learn how to get realistic view in iRacing: step-by-step camera, FOV and eye-position fixes for iRacing drivers. Fix this issue fast and race with correct depth.

If you want a realistic cockpit feel, the short answer is: use the cockpit camera, set a correct field-of-view (FOV) for your screen and eye distance, then save a custom eyepoint for each car. You’re in the right place — below are clear, no-nonsense steps to fix it fast.

Quick Answer — how to get realistic view in iracing

To get a realistic view in iRacing, switch to the cockpit/driver camera, calculate and set the correct horizontal FOV for your monitor and seating distance, and fine-tune seat height/eye position until the track looks natural. Save the camera per car.

What’s really going on

iRacing shows different camera types (cockpit, chase, TV). The “realistic” view comes from using the cockpit camera with a correct FOV. FOV controls how much of the world fits on your screen — wrong FOV makes the world look too zoomed or too wide, which breaks depth perception and sense of speed. VR and multi-monitor setups use similar concepts but need IPD or bezel/FOV adjustments.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Select the cockpit/driver camera
    • In the sim, choose the cockpit (not chase or TV) so you see the real dashboard and correct perspective.
  2. Measure your screen and eye distance (or use a calculator)
    • Measure the visible width of your monitor in inches and your eye distance from the screen. Use an online FOV calculator for iRacing.
  3. Enter the horizontal FOV in iRacing
    • In the in-sim camera or graphics settings, set the horizontal FOV value from the calculator. This is the key change that makes the view realistic.
  4. Adjust eyepoint (seat height/fore-aft)
    • While in the cockpit, move the camera up/down/forward/back until your eyes align with the real driver view — centerline of windshield, mirrors and instrument alignment should look natural.
  5. Test on-track and save
    • Drive a few corners at speed. If the edges/curbs look wrong, tweak FOV slightly. When happy, save the custom camera for that car so you don’t repeat the setup.
  6. If you use VR or triple monitors
    • VR: set correct IPD in headset and turn off any “FOV scaling.” Triple monitors: use combined width in the FOV calculator and check bezel correction if available.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Use a dedicated FOV calculator (search “iRacing FOV calculator”) — it removes guesswork.
  • Save camera configs per car; different cars require different eye positions.
  • For single ultrawide monitors, horizontal FOV is most important — avoid vertical-only settings.
  • If things feel too zoomed, reduce FOV; if everything looks tiny, increase it.
  • Reset to default camera if you get lost, then re-run the steps.

FAQs — how to get realistic view in iracing

Q: How do I know my FOV is correct? A: Look at track edges and mirrors — objects should not look stretched and corner entry should feel natural. Small tweaks are normal.

Q: Do I need different FOV for each car? A: Yes. Cockpit height and driver seating vary, so save a custom camera per car.

Q: Does VR need the same steps? A: Conceptually yes, but use headset IPD and VR settings instead of an H-FOV number. Avoid adding extra scaling in the VR compositor.

Q: Will my performance suffer? A: Correct FOV alone doesn’t affect FPS. Higher graphical fidelity does.

Wrap-up

Get the cockpit camera, use a proper FOV based on your screen and eye distance, tweak eyepoint, and save. Do that and the view in iRacing will look and feel much more realistic — test it on a few laps and adjust as needed.