SimSightline / Seat Position Guide
Sim Racing Seat Position
A good seating position makes you more consistent, especially on the brake, and lets you race for hours without aches. Set it up in this order, then measure your eye-to-screen distance and set your field of view last.
Target angles at a glance
| Check | Target | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knee, brake fully pressed | About 120° to 135° | SensitHaptics |
| Elbow, hands at 9 and 3 | About 90° to 120° | SensitHaptics, Fanatec |
| Backrest | About 100° to 110°, a slight recline | Fanatec, SensitHaptics |
| Wheel height | No higher than your shoulders | SensitHaptics |
| Wheel tilt | About 8° to 12° upward | SensitHaptics |
| Monitor height | Eyes at the centre or upper third of the screen | Asetek |
These are starting points from sim racing hardware makers, not medical advice. Adjust for your body and comfort.
How to set your seat position, step by step
Set things up in this order. Each step depends on the one before.
- Level the rig. Put the cockpit on a flat floor so nothing rocks under braking.
- Set the backrest to a slight recline, around 100° to 110°. Keep your lower back against it.
- Set the pedal distance. Press the brake fully: your knee should still be bent, at about 120° to 135°. Your heel should reach the pedal plate, so you press with the whole foot, not just your toes. If your leg goes nearly straight (above about 140°), move the pedals closer; you lose power and feel. Much below 110°, your thighs tire quickly.
- Set the wheel distance. Sit back and stretch your arms straight out: your wrists should rest on top of the wheel rim. Holding the wheel at 9 and 3, your elbows then bend about 90° to 120°. You should be able to turn the wheel fully without your back leaving the seat.
- Set the wheel height and tilt. Keep the top of the wheel below shoulder height, tilted up slightly, and make sure it does not hide the screen you need to see.
- Place the screen so your eyes line up with the centre or upper third, as close as you can without blocking the wheel. See monitor height below.
- Measure eye to screen and set your field of view with the FOV calculator.
Need a new seat? See the best sim racing seats, bucket and reclining.
GT vs formula seating
Sit more upright with your hips around the height of your heels. Easier to get in and out, and a balanced knee angle for heavy braking. Most cockpits and all wheel stands use this position.
Sit low and reclined, with your feet raised towards hip height. Pedal alignment and leg extension matter more, and good upper body support reduces shoulder fatigue. You do not need to copy a real F1 position exactly; comfort comes first.
Some foldable cockpits switch between the two, such as the Next Level Racing F-GT Lite in our budget sim rig guide.
Monitor height and distance
- Height: your eyes should line up with the centre or upper third of the screen in your racing position. Too high and you strain your neck; too low and the wheel hides the track.
- On triples: set all three screens at the same height, with your eyes in the same place on each.
- Distance: as close as you can without the screen touching the wheel or your hands. Closer screens cover more of your vision, so you can use a more realistic field of view. Asetek suggests around 60 to 70 cm as typical, depending on screen size.
Not sure what size you need at your distance? See the size vs distance chart.
Then set your field of view
Your seat position decides where your eyes are, so set it before calculating your FOV. Every time you move the seat forwards or back, your eye-to-screen distance changes and so does the correct FOV. Measure from between your eyes to the centre of the screen in your final position, then use the FOV calculator or the page for your game: iRacing, ACC, Assetto Corsa or LMU.
In the game, also move the virtual seat so the in-game wheel sits where your real wheel is. That is a separate setting from FOV.
Fixing common aches
| Problem | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Knee pain | Pedals too close or at an awkward angle | Move pedals away until the knee is around 120° to 135° on full brake |
| Tired thighs | Knees too bent | Move the pedals further away |
| Weak, vague braking | Leg nearly straight, or pressing with the toes | Move pedals closer and press with the whole foot |
| Shoulder or neck tension | Wheel too far, too high or too low | Bring the wheel closer and below shoulder height |
| Lower back ache | Back not supported or sliding forward | Sit fully back; check the recline and hip position |
| Neck strain | Screen too high | Lower it so your eyes meet the centre or upper third |
FAQ
What is the correct seating position for sim racing?
Back slightly reclined (about 100° to 110°), knees bent about 120° to 135° with the brake fully pressed, elbows bent about 90° to 120° holding the wheel at 9 and 3, wheel below shoulder height, and your eyes at the centre or upper third of the screen.
How far should the pedals be in sim racing?
Far enough that your leg stays bent with the brake fully pressed (around 120° to 135° at the knee), and close enough that your heel reaches the pedal plate.
How close should the steering wheel be?
With your arms straight out, your wrists should rest on top of the rim. Holding the wheel, your elbows then bend about 90° to 120°.
What is the best monitor height for sim racing?
Eyes level with the centre or upper third of the screen in your racing position, with the wheel not blocking the view of the track.
Should I sit like an F1 driver?
Only if you mostly drive single-seaters and find it comfortable. A real F1 position is very low and reclined. Most drivers use a GT-style position, which suits more cars and is easier on the back.
Does seat position change my FOV?
Yes. Moving the seat changes your eye-to-screen distance, which changes the correct field of view. Set the seat first, then measure and calculate your FOV.
Sources: SensitHaptics seating position guide; Fanatec: best seat position for F1 sim racing; Asetek: sim racing ergonomics; Playseat: best seating position. Last reviewed October 2026.