P2.6 vs P3.9 LED Screen
These two pixel pitches come up constantly in quotes because they sit right in the range most corporate and event hire falls into. Here's how to tell which one your event actually needs.
What's the real difference between P2.6 and P3.9?
P2.6 has LEDs spaced 2.6mm apart, P3.9 has them spaced 3.9mm apart — so P2.6 is the finer, sharper pitch of the two. Using the rough rule of thumb from our Pixel Pitch Guide, P2.6 is comfortable from around 2.6m back, while P3.9 is comfortable from around 3.9m back.
Which one should I choose for my event?
If your closest viewers will realistically be within about 3 metres of the screen — a product demo, a smaller reception, or front-row seating close to the stage — P2.6 is the safer choice. If your audience is generally seated further back, such as a standard conference layout, P3.9 usually holds up perfectly well and is often the more cost-effective option.
Is P2.6 always better since it's a finer pitch?
Not necessarily "better" for every event — just sharper up close. If nobody will actually be close enough to notice the difference, P2.6's extra sharpness goes unused, and you'd generally be paying more for a benefit nobody experiences. Matching the pitch to your real viewing distance matters more than defaulting to the finer option.
Does the price difference between them matter for my event?
It can, particularly at larger sizes where the cost gap between pitches becomes more noticeable. If your event doesn't need P2.6's close-up sharpness, choosing P3.9 instead is a straightforward way to bring the cost down without compromising how the screen actually looks to your audience.
Which one is more commonly used for general event hire?
P3.9 tends to be the more common general-purpose choice for standard corporate and event hire, since most events have an audience seated a reasonable distance back. P2.6 is more specifically chosen when there's a known close-viewing requirement, rather than as a default option.
Can P3.9 look bad if people stand too close to it?
Yes — if guests end up standing closer than around 3.9m, they may start to notice the individual pixel structure, particularly on fine text or detailed graphics. This is why it's important to be realistic about how close your closest viewers will actually get, not just your average seating distance.
Is P2.6 harder to source or more expensive to hire generally?
P2.6 panels typically cost more to manufacture than P3.9, which generally shows up in hire pricing, though both are widely available for event hire. Availability isn't usually a concern for either pitch when booked with reasonable notice.
Do both come in outdoor-rated versions?
Yes, both P2.6 and P3.9 are available as indoor or outdoor-rated panels — the pixel pitch and the weatherproofing are separate specifications, so choosing between them doesn't restrict whether the screen can be indoor or outdoor.
Which one is better suited to a conference stage?
For most conference stages, where the front row sits several metres back at minimum, P3.9 is generally the more cost-effective choice and holds up perfectly well. P2.6 becomes more relevant if there's a specific need for sharper detail, such as detailed brand graphics viewed by press or VIPs closer to the front.
Are there pitches finer than P2.6 or coarser than P3.9 worth knowing about?
Yes — finer pitches like P1.5–P1.9 exist for very close-up broadcast or product display work, and coarser pitches like P4.8 or P6 are common for large outdoor stages and festival screens viewed from further back. P2.6 and P3.9 simply sit in the middle range that covers most typical event hire needs.
How do I know which one is right without knowing the technical details myself?
You don't need to know the specifications yourself — describe how close your nearest viewers will realistically be to the screen and what the screen will be showing, and we'll recommend P2.6, P3.9, or another pitch entirely based on that, rather than expecting you to choose a part number.