What does a VESA pattern actually measure?

The rectangle formed by the four mounting screw holes on the back of the TV — width by height, in millimetres. A 400 × 400 pattern has its four holes forming a 400mm square; it is not the TV's screen size or overall dimensions, which is the mix-up that leads to buying the wrong mount.

Where do I find my TV's VESA pattern?

Printed on the TV itself near the mounting holes, in the manual, or on the manufacturer's spec page for that model. Most 32"–55" TVs use 200 × 200 or 400 × 400; larger TVs commonly step up to 400 × 200 or 600 × 400.

How high should a TV be mounted?

Eye level while seated, measured to the center of the screen, is the usual living-room target — commonly 42" to 48" depending on the couch and the TV's own height. A TV mounted for standing height, over a fireplace, generally sits too high for comfortable seated viewing.

Does the mounting plate need to hit two studs?

Most plates are slotted specifically to reach a standard 16" stud spacing, and the manual will say which of the plate's own holes that means — those are usually not the same four holes as the TV's VESA pattern, which only has to match the mounting arm, not the wall.

TV mount hole spacing template

Pick your TV's VESA pattern and the height you want it at, and this works out the mounting plate's hole spacing. Print the column spacing below at true size — the rows are just the pattern's own height, dropped straight down with a level.

VESA pattern

Printed on the mount and often on the back of the TV

Center height on the wall

Eye level while seated is the usual living-room target

Hole pattern

Column spread

15 3/4"

Row spread

15 3/4"

Land on studs where you can

A TV mount carries real weight off the wall, and it swings on a bump. Most mounting plates are slotted to reach a 16" stud spacing — check the hardware's own manual for which holes that means, and use anchors rated for the full weight only where a stud genuinely isn't reachable.

The layout in numbers

Top rowFrom the floor: 49 7/8"
Bottom rowFrom the floor: 34 1/8"

Column spacing, at true size

Print at 100%, check the ruler, then hold this level at 49 7/8" for the top row. Drop straight down 15 3/4" with a level for the bottom row.

Check this first

Put a tape on the printed ruler. If it does not read exactly 6 inches, the print was scaled — set the print dialog to 100% or “Actual size” and print it again. Do not cut wood from a template that failed this.

Top row, hole columns — piece 1 of 3, 0" to 5 1/4" across the strip

Level at 49 7/8" from the floor. The bottom row repeats these same two marks, 15 3/4" straight down. Trim on the orange line and butt this piece to the next one — the marks either side of the join have to line up before you drill anything.

Top row, hole columns — piece 2 of 3, 5 1/4" to 10 1/2" across the strip

Top row, hole columns — piece 3 of 3, 10 1/2" to 15 3/4" across the strip

Printing this properly

In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% or “Actual size” and turn off “Fit to page”. Measure the printed ruler with a tape before you trust the spacing — a plate that binds on its own screws is worse than one that's merely off centre.

About mounting a TV

What does a VESA pattern actually measure?: The rectangle formed by the four mounting screw holes on the back of the TV — width by height, in millimetres. A 400 × 400 pattern has its four holes forming a 400mm square; it is not the TV's screen size or overall dimensions, which is the mix-up that leads to buying the wrong mount.
Where do I find my TV's VESA pattern?: Printed on the TV itself near the mounting holes, in the manual, or on the manufacturer's spec page for that model. Most 32"–55" TVs use 200 × 200 or 400 × 400; larger TVs commonly step up to 400 × 200 or 600 × 400.
How high should a TV be mounted?: Eye level while seated, measured to the center of the screen, is the usual living-room target — commonly 42" to 48" depending on the couch and the TV's own height. A TV mounted for standing height, over a fireplace, generally sits too high for comfortable seated viewing.
Does the mounting plate need to hit two studs?: Most plates are slotted specifically to reach a standard 16" stud spacing, and the manual will say which of the plate's own holes that means — those are usually not the same four holes as the TV's VESA pattern, which only has to match the mounting arm, not the wall.