Pixel pitch is the distance between the centres of two neighbouring LED lights, measured in millimetres. A P10 screen has its lights 10 mm apart. A P3.9 screen has them 3.9 mm apart. It is the main thing that decides how sharp a sign looks.
Smaller pitch, sharper picture up close
A smaller pitch packs more lights into the same space, so text and photos look smooth from closer. A larger pitch suits signs that people read from further away, where the gaps between the lights blend together.
A simple rule
The pitch in millimetres is roughly the distance in metres from which the picture looks smooth. A P10 sign looks smooth from about 10 metres, and a P4 sign from about 4 metres. Closer than that, people start to see the individual lights.
Match the pitch to where people are
- Roadside and pylon signs are read from cars at a distance, so a larger pitch works well. See our outdoor LED signs and pylon signs.
- Shopfronts, foyers and counters are read up close, so a smaller pitch looks better. See our indoor LED displays and full colour LED screens.
- Scoreboards are read across a ground, where the size of the numbers matters as much as the pitch. See our electronic and LED scoreboards.
Size matters too
The number of lights across a sign is its width divided by the pitch. A bigger sign at the same pitch has more lights, so it can show bigger letters and more detail.
Try it yourself
Our pixel pitch planner shows a scoreboard, a shop ad or a photo on a 2 × 1, 3 × 2 or 5 × 4 m sign, in full colour or single colour red, at any pitch from P2.5 to P16. A close-up shows what a 30 cm patch looks like, with the gap between the lights, the distance it looks smooth from and the number of pixels.
Not sure whether you need single colour or full colour? Read single colour or full colour LED sign.
Ask us
Our FA2 outdoor range comes in pitches from P3.9 to P10. Send us a photo of the spot and tell us how far away people will be, and we will suggest a pitch and a size. Get a free quote, or call Aaron on 0416 053 335 or the office on (08) 9335 7944.
