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Designing for Field-of-View

A 3D rendering depicts a woman sitting on a couch, viewing AR content with a wild field-of-view.

Field-of-view (FOV) informs how digital content appears, feels, and fits into daily life. We select FOV based on use-case for optimal user comfort and device performance.

A series of concentric squares represent an ever widening field of view from 20 degrees up to 70 degrees.

Vision Defined

Understanding Field-of-View

A series of concentric squares represent an ever widening field of view from 20 degrees up to 70 degrees.

Effective FOV design respects comfort, natural eye movement, and the role each device plays in daily life. Central and peripheral vision serve different purposes in cognition and perception. Glanceable displays may only need a narrow view, while immersive experiences call for broader FOV.

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Peripheral vs. Central

Peripheral vision supports awareness. Central vision focuses on detail. A balanced FOV considers both.

Glanceable Displays

Narrower fields can improve legibility and reduce weight, power, and complexity of the AR glasses for simpler tasks.

Expanded Awareness

When information surrounds the user, like indicators, directions, or digital objects layered onto the physical world, a broader FOV makes interactions feel more natural.

Fit by Use Case

Each device and its target use cases demands a tailored FOV, whether for hands-free instructions or full spatial visualization.

Design Integrity

FOV is More Than a Spec

Field-of-view is a design challenge that spans optics, ergonomics, software, and user behavior. We approach it holistically, with teams working together from concept to testing. When FOV is designed with intention, the result is a device that feels intuitive and responsive.

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Experience Above All

The FOV of each device is designed to enhance the user experience, first and foremost.

Cross-Functional Thinking

Hardware and software decisions shape how FOV is perceived and used.

Tested in the Physical World

Every FOV is validated in context, with real users and real tasks.

Optimized for the User

The FOV doesn’t draw attention to itself, it puts the content and experience into focus.

Binocular Coordination

Aligning views for both eyes requires careful tuning of overlap, eye box, and lens geometry.

Natural Eye Movement

Devices must support intuitive gaze behavior without forcing head turns or unnatural posture.
A Magic Leap technician holds a single waveguide lens while taking notes in an laboratory setting.

Key Learnings

Experience Shapes Expertise

A Magic Leap technician holds a single waveguide lens while taking notes in an laboratory setting.

Years of working at the cutting edge of optical performance has given our teams deep insight into what matters most: comfort, clarity, and human fit. That experience carries forward as we design smaller, lighter devices with purpose-fit FOVs. Scaling down requires just as much care as scaling up, because when everything is miniaturized, precision becomes non-negotiable.

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Large FOV Learnings

Our experience in large FOV systems has taught us how optics and perception interact allowing us to easily scale down to smaller form factors.

Smarter Miniaturization

Our experience with the complexity of AR systems now fuels faster, more focused development in compact systems.

Designing for Comfort

We know user comfort inside and out, and know displays must support long-term use, with crisp visuals and intuitive focus.

Optics That Adapt

Flexibility in design allows us to tailor the FOV on a device-by-device basis to support visual content from subtle overlays to rich spatial experiences.

Informed Choice

Selecting the Correct FOV

An illustration showing a pair of augmented reality glasses with the field-of-view angles illustrated with light blue cones extending from the lenses.

The optimal field-of-view depends on what the user needs to see, how they interact with content, and how the device fits into their day. Our decisions are guided by vision science, population data, optical modeling, and dynamic FOV simulations, combined with partner goals and real-world use cases. Bigger isn’t always better. The best FOV is the one that supports the experience without distraction.

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An illustration showing a pair of augmented reality glasses with the field-of-view angles illustrated with light blue cones extending from the lenses.

Vision Science Matters

Research into eye movement and perception guides every FOV recommendation.

Built Around Use Cases

From simple notifications to immersive AR experiences, we know how to design for diverse use cases.

Collaboration Drives Fit

We work closely with partners to define each design’s visual and ergonomic sweet spot.

Optimized, Not Maximized

Each design’s FOV is tailored for maximum impact. Precision targeting creates clarity and comfort.

Story: Designing for AR Performance

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A link card element: Magic Leap Engineer holds up an AR device prototype to test what’s possible.
Story: Designing for AR Performance

Story: Vision Systems: When Precision Meets Perception

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A link card element: Magic Leap benching test unit to test Magic Leap waveguides.
Story: Vision Systems: When Precision Meets Perception