Security Camera Placement: Best Angle, Height and Distance

Facial Recognition vs General Surveillance Placement

Published: 02-Mar-2025

TL;DR

General Surveillance: Mount cameras higher, typically around 8-10 feet, for a wide overview of the area you want to monitor.

Facial Recognition: Place cameras at face level (4-6 ft), angled slightly down (15-30 degrees), and within 10-15 ft of where you expect to see faces for clear detail.

What is a crucial aspect of setting up your surveillance system for a specific purpose?

Getting clear facial recognition.

However, sometimes we need a camera to overlook the area and get a clear picture who went where.

It’s not enough to just point a camera and hope for the best, right? So, what’s the secret sauce?

It all boils down to the angle, the height, and the distance of your camera placement.

Height

Think about the height first.

For the best results in facial recognition, you’ll want to position your camera around face level.

That sweet spot is generally somewhere between 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters).

Mounting at this height gives you a much better chance of getting a direct, less distorted view of someone’s face as they approach.

For general surveillance, a height of 8-10 feet from the ground. This would capture the wider area, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to see the faces in some cases.

Angle

Now, let’s talk angles.

Forget pointing your camera straight on like it’s taking a mugshot. A slight downward tilt is often your best friend.

We’re talking about a vertical angle of roughly 15 to 30 degrees.

This subtle downward look tends to align better with how people naturally move and helps to minimize issues with strong sunlight or shadows that can make facial features hard to see.

Similar thing is with the general surveillance, a 30-degree downward angle is often suggested. This angle aims to provide a good overview of the property’s entry and exit points.

Distance

Finally, the distance.

How far should that lens be from where you expect to see faces? While a wide view is great for general coverage, for facial recognition, you need to get a bit closer.

Ideally, you’d want the camera positioned within about 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) of the area you’re focusing on.

This range allows for enough detail to pick up those key identifying features. Of course, you don’t want it so close that it’s easily within reach for someone to tamper with it.

Regarding the general surveillance – we can talk about the larger distance, even 30-50 feet. You want be able to see the faces, but you’ll connect the dots and find the weak spots in your property.

Recommendations

To provide a consolidated view of expert recommendations, the following table summarizes the suggested mounting heights and angles for facial recognition based on the reviewed sources:

Security camera placement table – Click to expand

Also, lighting conditions are a crucial factor that can significantly impact the quality of facial recognition data.

Be sure to install cameras in bright areas while avoiding direct sunlight and strong backlights or shadows.

We don’t want those lens flares all over the place.

Just to remind you

So, to recap, remember these numbers for optimal facial recognition: height around 4 to 6 feet, a downward angle of 15 to 30 degrees, and a distance within 10 to 15 feet.

For general overview of your property, feel free to adjust the placement so you can see the entry and exist points.

Keep in mind other factors like good lighting and avoiding obstructions, and you’ll be well on your way to capturing much clearer and more useful footage.

Do you want to learn more? I got a perfect blog post for you: Choosing the Right Home Surveillance System

And this one: Easy Ways to Install Security Cameras Without Screws

Marvin McAlister is an enthusiastic advocate for home safety and security, possessing a solid grasp of the subject through years of personal and professional involvement with security equipment. Check more about Marvin here.