A projection lens unit includes a main body; a lens fixed to the main body; and a hood disposed to one end of the main body close to a screen. The hood defines the outermost boundary of a view angle stretching with respect to the center of the lens and includes a light-shielding plate and a light-shielding barrel. When the shielding height of the light-shielding plate and the length of the light-shielding barrel are respectively represented by H and L, the shielding height H and the length L are set so as to satisfy the equation tan(.alpha./2)=H/L, in relation to the view angle .alpha.. More particularly, these dimensions are set so as to satisfy the condition that the ratio H/L lies in a range from 0.74 to 0.94. The inner surface of the light-shielding barrel is subjected to surface treatment so as to absorb unnecessary light thereby, reflect it thereat, or scatter it thereat. To be more specific, the light-shielding barrel has scattering grooves disposed on the inner surface thereof.