Factors to consider when choosing scoreboard digit size
Choosing the right scoreboard digit size is an important consideration when purchasing a new digital scoreboard. The ideal scoreboard digit size primarily depends on how far away your spectators or audience will be.
- Small Venues or Training Grounds: 100mm or 200mm are generally sufficient
- Medium Venues or School Ovals for larger crowds: 300mm digits are recommended
- Stadiums or Large Sporting Grounds: 400mm digits ensure readability across long distance
Scoreboard information
If your scoreboard will only display crucial information such as the time and score, larger digits are preferable. If you need a more sophisticated scoreboard that displays other information about the game or messages to the spectators, you still need to ensure the most important display information such as score and time is the most prominent. Thus large digits for scores and time are recommended.
Indoor versus Outdoor Scoreboards
Outdoor scoreboards need a much higher brightness to remain visible in sunlight and bright ambient light or glare. Similarly outdoor scoreboards also require larger digits as they typically are on scoreboards with longer viewing distances.
Mounting Position
Scoreboards mounted lower across the field from spectators may be more difficult to read than scoreboards mounted higher above the field simply because other spectators may partially block the view. In this instance consider larger digits when mounted down low or a portable scoreboard. Similarly, choose displays with wide viewing angles if spectators will be spread across wide seating areas. This ensures that the digits remain readable from the sides or wider angles.
Scoreboard Digit Colour
The colour of scoreboard digits is crucial for maximising readability, and ensures digits remain highly visible regardless of distance and weather conditions:
- Strong contrasting colours such as bright colours on a dark board provide the best contrast, improving viewing from a distance.
- Certain colours provide better glare resistance in outdoor environments; bright red and green definitely perform well in direct sunlight. Whites or weak ambers can tend to wash out in the harsh Australian sunlight.
- The human eye is most sensitive to the green spectrum so the safest choice, if there is any doubt about the scores being readable, is green.
- LED viewing angles can be restrictive unless wide angle lenses are used. If your spectators need to see the scores and they are not face on then larger digits may be necessary (or just make sure your scoreboard has a good viewing angle)
- Aesthetically pleasing scoreboards help with readability. Strong clear labelling, framed score windows and easy to understand layouts all make a scoreboard easier to read from any distance.
Digit width and style
Well-spaced high quality LED digits will be easier to read than thin or tightly spaced characters. Reducing the size of a scoreboard for the same size digits may be less readable than smaller sized digits.
Digit selection guide
| Venue Size | Recommended Digit Size |
|---|---|
| Small Venues or Training Grounds | 100mm or 200mm |
| Medium Venues or School Ovals | 300mm |
| Stadiums or Large Sporting Grounds | 400mm |
Viewing Chart Guide
Key information to gather when considering digit size
- Which sport or sports will the scoreboard be used for?
- Is it an indoor or outdoor scoreboard?
- What is the maximum viewing distance?
- Will spectators be seated or standing?
Tip: Always choose a larger digit size if unsure, as bigger digits improve visibility and spectator experience.
Are you looking for a quality Australian-made scoreboard?
AusSport can provide expert advice to help you choose the right digital scoreboard including recommending an appropriate digit size and LED brightness for your specific scoreboard. We are an Australian family-owned business, who have been making quality digital scoreboards for over 25 years. Contact the friendly AusSport team today for expert advice and a fast quote.
