Buying an LED display without understanding the pricing variables is a good way to either overpay or spec the wrong product. This is a quick breakdown of what actually drives the cost — with the formulas included.
The base formula
Price starts with screen area:
Total price = Width (m) × Height (m) × Price per m²
Everything else is a modifier on that per-m² figure.
What moves the per-m² price
Pixel pitch is usually the biggest lever. Smaller pitch = denser LED array = higher cost. A P2.5 indoor screen costs significantly more per m² than a P6 outdoor screen. The tradeoff is resolution at close range — for anything above 5m viewing distance, fine pitch is wasted spend.
Rule of thumb for minimum viewing distance:
Min viewing distance = pixel pitch (mm) × 1000 = distance in mm
Optimal viewing distance = pixel pitch (mm) × 3000
So a P3.91 screen: min ~3.9m, optimal ~11.7m.
Indoor vs outdoor matters for both IP rating and brightness spec. Outdoor requires IP65 and 5,000–7,000 nits. Indoor runs IP43/IP54 at 600–1,200 nits. Outdoor modules cost more because of the weatherproofing and driver requirements.
Cabinet material affects weight, heat dissipation, and price. Steel is cheapest but heavy. Aluminum alloy and die-cast aluminum cost more but dissipate heat better and suit rental/mobile setups where weight matters.
LED lamp brand has a real price impact — Nationstar sits at the top of the quality/cost curve, Kinglight is a solid mid-tier option. Drive IC quality (Macroblock vs. cheaper alternatives) directly affects refresh rate and flicker performance.
Resolution calculation
Resolution (W) = Screen width (mm) / Pixel pitch (mm)
Resolution (H) = Screen height (mm) / Pixel pitch (mm)
Example: 12,500mm × 2,500mm screen at P2.5
W: 12500 / 2.5 = 5000 pixels
H: 2500 / 2.5 = 1000 pixels
Total: 5,000,000 pixels
Power consumption
Rough method (higher margin of error):
Estimated draw ≈ Max power (W/m²) / 3
More accurate formula:
Actual draw = [(Max power – Black level power) × 0.70 × 0.33] + Black level power
The 0.70 accounts for typical brightness level (70% of max), and 0.33 for typical content mix consuming ~33% of available power at that brightness.
Total project power:
P(T) = P(M) × S(T) + P(O)
Where P(M) = max power per m², S(T) = screen area in m², P(O) = auxiliary equipment (e.g. HVAC for enclosed fixed installs).
Hidden costs people forget
Shipping: sea freight is cheapest for large screens; air for urgent/small orders; door-to-door (DHL/FedEx) works if total weight is under ~100kg
Import duties: varies by country — worth checking the HS code with a local broker before finalising budget
Installation structure: for wall-mounted fixed installs, get a local structural quote using the cabinet CAD drawings
Control system: sending card + receiving card + media player — these aren't always included in the screen quote
Fixed vs rental: a note
Rental screens need die-cast aluminum cabinets (lighter, handles repeated assembly), fine pixel pitch for stage use, and fast-lock connections. Fixed installs prioritise lifespan, heat dissipation, and front-access serviceability. The hardware is different enough that they're not interchangeable for most applications.
Linsn LED has a price calculator tool where you can input your screen dimensions and application type (indoor fixed, outdoor fixed, rental) to get a budget estimate directly:
👉 LED Display Screen Price Calculator
Useful if you're in early scoping and need a ballpark before going to RFQ.
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