What Size Mirror Do I Need?
Size Depends On:
- Viewing Distance
- Viewing Area
- People, Vehicles or Machinery
- Speed
1. Viewing Distance
Viewing distance is a combination of the measurement from you to the mirror and from the mirror to the area being viewed.
Each product page on our website has an approximate viewing distance as a guide. You will find this measurement in the 'Specification' tab.
Keep in mind, the closer you are to the mirror, the easier it is to define the images in the reflection, therefore a small to medium size is sufficient. When the mirror is positioned further away from you (across the road or at the end of a hallway), a medium to large mirror is needed for you to define the images.
The Size and Distance annimation shows how an object (person or vehicle) will look in a standard 24" convex mirror, depending on how far away from the mirror those objects are. 24 inch is a medium sized mirror. A much larger mirror will have much larger images at those same distances and a smaller mirror will have smaller images.
Size and Distance
Example of View Distance for 24" Mirror.
2. Viewing Area
Viewing areas can range from small rooms, offices, narrow corridors, and tight driveways, which would only require a smaller sized mirror. Whereas large open warehouses, playgrounds, roadways, parking lots would require a larger sized mirror.
The larger and more open the area you need to view, the larger the mirror you will need.
Size and Area
Larger Areas Require Larger Mirrors.
3. Viewing People or Vehicles
The mirror size you require will also depend on what you are trying to view in the mirror. The size requirements for viewing people is much different compared to viewing moving traffic.
As people are smaller than vehicles, the viewing distance for indoor standard mirrors is shorter than the viewing distance for outdoor traffic mirrors.
When viewing people, it will also depend on whether you need to see if someone is in the room, or do you need to see who they are and what they are doing. A larger mirror will give you a larger relection to see more details.
Viewing People vs Vehicles
People require a shorter viewing distance compared to traffic.
4. Traffic Speed
When viewing moving traffic or machinery, the speed will affect the appropriate mirror size.
When viewing traffic on a driveway or parking lot with strict speed limits, a smaller mirror will work, compared to viewing traffic on an open street or highway.
It is also important to factor in the distance you need to view. For example, you may want to upgrade the size of your low speed mirror, if the distance is on a long driveway, or if the positioning of the mirror is far from your viewing point.
We would not recommend installing a mirror smaller than 32 inches for high speed traffic. A larger mirror will help you to see further down the road, giving you more time to react or make a decision.
Size and Speed
