When it comes to purchasing a new television, many individuals are unclear about the size to choose. Is a large screen the size of your wall actually necessary for a cinematic experience, or can a tiny one suffice? And should you buy a TV with 4K UHD resolution or opt for 1080p alternatively? The proper size depends not only on your own preferences but also on aspects like TV resolution, viewing distance, and, obviously, budget. Finding the ideal TV size should be simple once you have considered all of these factors.
How Do You Measure a Television?
Let’s start with the basics before we go any further. What does the term “screen size” mean exactly?
The diagonal length of a TV’s display, such as 49″, relates to the display’s diagonal length without bezels. Nevertheless, depending on the different models, the real size may vary. Stretch a tape measure from the bottom left to the top right corner of your TV’s screen to determine this. As you may have realized, the screen size has little bearing on the TV’s real proportions. You should consider the height, breadth, and depth of television when measuring its size.
Because most Panasonic 4K UHD models have relatively thin bezels, the screen size is a reliable indicator of the TV’s real size. The Panasonic TX-65JZ1000B 4K OLED Smart TV, for example, has a 65″ screen diagonal and measures 895mm in height, 348mm in depth, and 1448mm in width, which is significantly smaller than similar 65″ models.
Check out this free online TV size calculator for more convenience.
TV Size to Distance Calculator
How to Determine the Best Television Viewing Distance
Finding out what the ideal viewing distance for the TV is is also a crucial part of picking the correct TV for you. And it could be determined by a number of things, including the room’s size, type, how the TV is used, and its resolution.
The maximum viewing distance will obviously be determined by the size of the room, which will have an influence on the size of the TV that can be accommodated.
The type of room has an effect on the appropriate viewing distance. To ease neck discomfort and suit room aesthetics, formal spaces, such as a living room with the TV installed over a fireplace, may demand a longer viewing distance.
For an excellent cinema experience, media rooms specializing in movies, gaming, or sports, may reduce the viewing distance.
Viewing Distances for Different TV Sizes
As previously stated, the screen viewing angle plays an important role in choosing the best viewing distance. In the indicated 26° – 40° range, the chart below indicates the ideal viewing distances for different Television sizes.
| TV Sizes | Ideal Seating Distance |
| 22 inches | 2.2 ft – 3.6 ft |
| 26 inches | 2.7 ft – 4.1 ft |
| 32 inches | 3.2 ft – 5 ft |
| 37 inches | 3.8 ft – 5.1 ft |
| 40 inches | 4 ft – 6.4 ft |
| 46 inches | 4.7 ft – 7.3 ft |
| 50 inches | 5 ft – 7.1 ft |
| 55 inches | 5.6 ft – 8.8 ft |
| 60 inches | 6 ft – 9.5 ft |
| 65 inches | 6.6 ft – 10.3 ft |
| 70 inches | 7 ft – 11 ft |
| 75 inches | 7.6 ft – 11.1 ft |
| 80 inches | 8 ft – 12.7 ft |
| 85 inches | 8.6 ft – 13.4 ft |
| 90 inches | 9 ft – 14.2 ft |
For a 4K resolution TV, the ideal viewing distance range for different Television sizes is 40° to 26°.
The Best Viewing Distance Depending on TV Resolution
The resolution of your television will also influence how far you may sit from it. When your eyes can distinguish individual pixels on the Television screen, the picture starts to fade due to your visual function.
Higher-resolution televisions typically have smaller pixels that are more difficult to view at the same distance. This implies that you can get nearer to higher-resolution TVs before you start seeing pixels.
A 4K TV allows you to sit considerably nearer to it without seeing the pixels, giving you a more realistic visual experience than a 1080P TV.
Pixel density, or the amount of pixels on a screen in terms of its size, is calculated in pixels per inch, or PPI. To determine the level of pixel density of your TV screen, use this free PPI calculator.
When proposing a size and sitting distance, the viewing distance calculator above includes the following components.
Are you wondering what the best viewing distance is for your TV based on its resolution? It’s important to find the sweet spot where you can fully appreciate the quality of your TV. Check out the size chart comparison to determine the perfect distance for your specific TV.
Minimum Viewing Distance Requirements based on Size and Resolution
Is upgrading to a 4K TV worthwhile? The chart below depicts the distances at which the human eye can perceive individual pixels on a computer screen.
| TV Sizes | 4K Minimum Viewing Distance | 1080p Minimum Viewing Distance |
| 40 inches | 2.4 ft | 4.11 ft |
| 46 inches | 2.8 ft | 5.8 ft |
| 50 inches | 2.11 ft | 6.2 ft |
| 55 inches | 3.2 ft | 6.9 ft |
| 60 inches | 3.6 ft | 7.5 ft |
| 65 inches | 3.9 ft | 8 ft |
| 70 inches | 4.1 ft | 8.8 ft |
| 75 inches | 4.4 ft | 9.3 ft |
| 80 inches | 4.8 ft | 9.10 ft |
| 85 inches | 5 ft | 10.6 ft |
| 90 inches | 5.3 ft | 11.1 ft |
For different resolutions, the viewing distances at which you can start to see pixels on a video or television screen.
If you can’t literally see the pixels on display at 1080p resolution, a 4K increase may be insignificant. If your sitting distance is shorter than the 1080p resolution’s lowest viewing distance, upgrading to 4k will be a significant improvement.
Formulas for Minimum Viewing Distance
Formulas for calculating the distance at which a normal human eye can distinguish pixels on a video screen.
Use this free screen size calculator or use a chart of dimensions for typical TV sizes to determine your TV width down below.
| Resolution | Minimum Viewing Distance |
| 480P | 4.1 x screen width |
| 720P | 2.7 x screen width |
| 1080P | 1.7 x screen width |
| 4K | 0.8 x screen width |
| 8K | 0.4 x screen width |
How to Choose the Right TV Dimensions?
When it comes to shopping for a new display, the issue of what size TV I should choose is posed more than any other.
To begin, you will need to set a budget and consider the type of TV technology you want to use – for instance, will you opt for QLED or OLED? You will probably come to a choice about the screen size you want to purchase.
Is it possible to have an excessively large television?
The answer to this common question would be ‘no’ if you were being sarcastic. I recommend getting the largest TV you can afford. We commonly hear from people who wish they had chosen something larger. It is incredible how fast you adjust to a bigger display.
Nevertheless, we recognize that purchasing the largest television available is not always feasible. Even if you have enough money, you might not have enough room in your lounge for everything, or it may be completely wrong. You might have a partner who is not really fond of a big screen, or you might simply think a big screen is intrusive and gaudy.
If you’re questioning whether a TV can be too big, check out our TV size calculator to make sure you’re getting the best viewing experience. We take into account your room measurements and viewing distance to recommend a TV size that’s right for you.
Dimensions and resolution of the display
So, how big should your screen be? Your selection of resolution will influence the size of the TV you buy to some extent. As the worldwide market changes to 4K, TV makers have dramatically reduced their output of high-definition TVs. As a consequence, HD resolutions are now mostly kept for smaller displays ranging between 24 and 36 inches in size.
Screen size of 36 inches will be considered large in the days preceding flat screens. TVs of that size are typically being touted as being suitable for kitchens, offices, and even restrooms. If you are purchasing a TV for a smaller space, it is merely a matter of selecting a screen size that will fit perfectly in those smaller spaces.
On the flip side, if you are searching for a TV for your primary living room, you should start considering bigger screen sizes, as well as a variety of other aspects. As previously stated, you should first decide your budget, as this will eventually define the resolution and size of your new television.
If you are on a shoestring or just have a small living room, there are more than enough large-screen high-definition TVs to choose from. However, make sure you keep in mind that the lower the display’s resolution – the number of pixels making up the image – the more you must stand away from it to avoid seeing individual pixels.
720p HD TVs with 1366 x 768 pixels, 1280 x 720 pixels, or 1024 x 768 pixels are becoming more common these days. Full HD refers to a television that has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Generally speaking, this is suitable for use with online streaming services, Blu-ray disc players, video game consoles, and HD terrestrial, satellite, and cable transmissions.
4K Ultra HD TVs are considered the quickest-growing sector, with a resolution that enables you to sit nearer to a really huge screen while still getting a nice, clear picture. The resolution of 4K UHD is 3840 x 2160 pixels, which is four times that of Full HD. As you might know, satellite broadcasters, gaming consoles4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players, and online streaming services all use this.
Viewing distance and screen size
Apart from budget, surroundings, individual preferences, and resolution, viewing distance – how far you sit from the Television screen under regular viewing conditions – is a reasonable rule of thumb for picking the optimal size TV. Today’s 4K televisions have more detail, allowing you to sit nearer to the display without seeing the pixels.
Obviously, you wouldn’t want to be so far away from the tv that you lose any of the great detail, so you will need a convenient number to divide the viewing distance by to determine the best screen size. There are several various dividers, but they all presume normal vision.
Various dividers are available from manufacturers, merchants, and industry organizations such as SMPTE (which is also widely recognized as the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) or THX. However, manufacturers are the most conservative. They suggest dividing the viewing distance by 2.5 as a rule of thumb, which they say will give you the greatest size TV possible in regard to diagonal measurement.
For instance, if you generally sit 8 feet away from your television, you will need 96 inches (or 8ft x 12in). The suggested display size for your new television is 38, which is calculated by dividing 96 by 2.5 (keep in mind the diagonal measurement of the TV’s display).
Nevertheless, dividing by 2.5 was initially designed to compute the optimal viewing distance for a standard-definition television (usually either 480p or 576p). Because high-definition TVs offer a higher resolution, you can opt for far bigger ones.
To get the appropriate display size for a Full HD TV, divide the viewing distance by 1.6, according to the SMPTE. Using the same instance, if your viewing distance from your television is 96 inches, then 60 inches is the best screen size.
When talking about high-definition screens, THX suggests dividing the viewing distance by 1.56 to determine the optimal screen size. Divide by 1.2 to achieve an optimal screen size of 62 inches, depending on my instance of sitting 96 inches far from your television.
For Ultra HD TVs, THX additionally gives a divider that goes from 0.78 to 1.00. THX has made it apparent that 4K resolution enables individuals to sit far nearer to a television screen than it has ever been. The THX optimum TV size for Ultra HD has a display diagonal from 96 to 123 inches, based on my 96-inch sample.
That is actually a lot of space, but since you will be sitting nearer to your 4K TV, the optimal size for you would be something smaller. A viewing distance of 60 inches, for instance, corresponds to a TV display size of 60 to 77 inches. Those are certainly large sizes, but they are a lot more manageable than any screen size between 96 and 123 inches.
If the recommended display size is not available, you should select the best alternative. With a viewing distance of 96 inches, the best display size for a high-definition TV in my THX instance was 62 inches. As far as I can make out, there is nobody actually making a 62-inch TV, so you will have to settle for a 60-inch or 65-inch TV. Which option you select will almost definitely be a matter of personal taste.
It is all a matter of personal taste
It is obvious that these are only recommendations instead of hard and quick regulations. There is no correct or incorrect response. Given the inability of the manufacturers and industry groups to agree on a single method, it makes more sense to use a variety of criteria.
So, while choosing the size TV to purchase, set a reasonable budget and select the best resolution for you. At present, you should probably choose 4K Ultra HD to reap all of the advantages and ensure your future security. Then assess your space and determine the optimum location for your new TV, as well as the viewing distance.
Then after, you can compute the suggested screen size using one of the suggested dividers above (the SMPTE number is generally a good compromise). Once you have decided on screen size, make sure it fits your room and your own preferences and that it is acceptable to your spouse.
Provided everybody is happy, you may begin shopping for a TV with the optimum screen size for your purposes while remaining within your budget.
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Which TV Size Should You Purchase? Comparing Most Common TV Sizes
One of the very first points to take into account when discussing TV sizes is the screen format. Generally speaking, this is the proportion of width to height, often known as the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio of older television displays was 4:3. However, this format is being utilized less and less these days.
Flat displays currently employ the 16:9 aspect ratio. A black bar emerges at each of the lateral image edges when 4:3 shows are watched on such devices. Programs and movies in 16:9 format, on the other hand, are difficult to watch on a 4:3 device. Crucial picture elements are often removed from the screen in such instances, and the image displayed by the device only appears to be an excerpt. If you are on the market for a new television, you should look for one with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The theater format, often known as 21:9, is a specific format for genuine widescreen TV. Nevertheless, these devices are only appropriate for 21:9 content in a true home cinema. The image is deformed, or black bars appear on both right and left for shows in 16:9 format.
32Inch Vs. 40-Inch Televisions
A 32-inch and a 40-inch pair differ by 17.7 cm in width.
If you are searching for an LCD TV for a small kitchen or bedroom, a 32-inch model is ideal, but a 40-inch model is also available. Let’s have a peek at their measurements:
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 32 inches | 70.9 cm or 27.9 in | 39.9 cm or 15.7 in | 0.283 m2 or 438 in2 |
| 40 inches | 88.6 cm or 34.9 in | 49.8 cm or 19.6 in | 0.441 m2 or 684 in2 |
43-Inch Vs. 50-Inch Televisions
As per Consumer Reports, the most common TV sizes bought by Americans until lately were in this group, but with developments in technology such as QNED and OLED, the preferred size is increasing from year to year.
This is where the smaller LG Nano cell and OLED devices begin. The smallest Nano cell by far is 43 inches, and the smallest OLED in LG’s present lineup is 48 inches.
Consider the variation in size between a 43-inch and a 50-inch television:
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 43 inches | 95.3 cm or 37.5 in | 53.6 cm or 21.1 in | 0.511 m2 or 791 in2 |
| 50 inches | 110.7 cm or 43.6 in | 62.2 cm or 24.5 in | 0.689 m2 or 1068 in2 |
50-Inch Vs. 55-Inch Televisions
The distinction between these two sizes is not as obvious to the naked eye. A lot of other criteria must be considered, such as the brands you are keen on and your TV budget. For instance, LG Display’s OLED line contains a 55-inch TV dubbed the C1, while Samsung’s QLED series contains a 50-inch device called the Q60A Series. So, instead of size, it might be an issue of what TV is most fitted to your demands and budget.
Consider the changes in size between a 50-inch and a 55-inch television:
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 50 inches | 110.7 cm or 43.6 in | 62.2 cm or 24.5 in | 0.689 m2 or 1068 in2 |
| 55 inches | 121.7 cm or 47.9 in | 68.6 cm or 27.0 in | 0.835 m2 or 1293 in |
55-Inch Vs. 65-Inch Televisions
The width variation between 55-inch and 65-inch is 22 cm. That would be enough to create a big difference in your living space. Also, televisions starting at 65 inches are undoubtedly more expensive, so expect to pay a lot more for that 22 cm.
The dimensions of a 55-inch and 65-inch television are as follows:
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 55 inches | 121.7 cm or 47.9 in | 68.6 cm or 27.0 in | 0/835 m2 or 1293 in2 |
| 65 inches | 144.0 cm or 56.7 in | 81.0 cm or 31.9 in | 1.166 m2 or 1809 in2 |
65-Inch Vs. 75-Inch Televisions
The difference in width between a 65-inch and a 75-inch television is 22 cm. If the TV you are considering has these proportions, be ready to spend money on a specific amount if it weighs over 66 lbs, which is frequently the case.
Without the frame, Samsung’s 75-inch Q70A 4K UHD QLED Smart TV weighs around 70.7 lbs.
Consider hiring someone to help you unpack the TV and mount it to the stand since these items are commonly misplaced.
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 65 inches | 144.0 cm or 56.7 in | 81.0 cm or 31.9 in | 1.166 m2 or 1809 in2 |
| 75 inches | 166.1 cm or 65.4 in | 93.5 cm or 36.8 in | 1.1553 m2 or 2407 in2 |
75-inch Vs. 85-inch Televisions
A big-screen television is an investment that will definitely pay off for many years. If your living quarter allows it, a 75 or 85-inch screen is ideal. The breadth distinction between the two sizes is 22 cm, which is significant enough to be overlooked when purchasing.
The optimum viewing distance for a 75-inch display is 10.5 feet (or 3.5 m), while it is 11.9 feet (or 3.63 m) for an 85-inch screen.
| TV Sizes | Width (in inches and centimeters) | Height (in inches and centimeters) | Area (in m2 and in2) |
| 75 inches | 166.1 cm or 65.4 in | 93.5 cm or 36.8 in | 1.553 m2 or 2407 in2 |
| 85 inches | 188.2 cm or 74.1 in | 105.9 cm or 41.7 in | 1.993 m2 or 3090 in2 |