viewingangle

Viewingangle is a term used to describe the angular range from which a device or display can be viewed while preserving acceptable image quality. In display technology, viewing angle is specified as angles relative to the screen's normal. Within this range, brightness, contrast, and color accuracy remain within defined thresholds; outside it, color shifts, brightness loss, or reduced contrast may occur. The technology used in a display largely determines its viewing angle: twisted nematic (TN) panels typically offer narrower viewing angles, while in-plane switching (IPS) and vertical alignment (VA) panels provide wider angles. OLED displays also maintain image quality over wide viewing angles, though individual pixels emit light rather than rely on liquid crystals. The component materials, panel structure, and optical films influence how rapidly image properties change with angle, and manufacturers often specify horizontal and vertical viewing angles separately.

The concept also appears in other contexts, such as photography and projection, where viewing angle (or angle of view) refers to the extent of the scene visible from a given position. In photography, the angle of view is determined by the focal length of the lens, while in projection systems it depends on throw distance, screen size, and projection geometry. In product documentation, viewingangle affects user experience in shared-display setups and consumer electronics, guiding design choices to minimize undesired color or brightness shifts for typical viewing positions. Measurements are conducted under standardized conditions to compare displays and assess performance across angles.