How to Measure & Find the Perfect TV Size

A Samsung TV mounted to a wall in a living room

How to measure TV screen size

Calculating your TV size is less complicated than you might think. A TV’s size refers to it’s diagonal length, which comes from measuring from the upper left hand corner of the actual TV screen to the lower right hand corner. Most are expressed in inches. Here’s how a TV measurement should look…

Rule of thumb: bigger is better

TV dimensions differ, but we recommend selecting the largest size your budget allows. If you’re considering getting a TV that’s 75 inches or more, there’s something you should know; a major reason for purchasing new TVs is the demand for bigger screens. And that even after purchase, satisfaction remains very high. So, has there been a particular screen size that’s been on your mind? Then now’s the time to go big and never look back.

An over the shoulder view of a Samsung TV on a cabinet

Recommended viewing distance for your TV’s size

All TVs have a recommended distance and angle that you will want to consider when setting it up in your home. The best and most immersive viewing experience is when 40 degrees of your field of view is taken up by the screen. This field of view distance can be calculated by just knowing the size of your TV. To get this suitable distance, multiply the screen size by 1.2. So for a 75 inch TV, that means sitting 90 inches, or 2.3 meters away. Have a look at the table provided to determine the recommended viewing distances for various TV sizes so you can choose the best TV size for your space.

An over the shoulder view of a white couch
A chart displaying viewing distances for various screen sizes

Other things to keep in mind

1. Check the actual TV dimensions

The excitement of buying a new TV can often cause you to forget about the actual task of setting it up. A TV is more than just its screen size. The physical dimensions of a big screen TV, stand and bezel included, as well as its future placement in its room are all important factors to remember. Be sure to compare the exact TV dimensions with your furniture setup to avoid headaches down the road when setting up your big screen TV.

2. Check the TV resolution, especially with a big screen TV

The general rule of thumb is that as the screen size increases, so should the total pixel count or resolution. The better the resolution, the more you see the image instead of the pixels. This is why when you buy a big screen TV it is highly recommended to go with a high resolution picture quality like 4K, or even 8K, so that your resolution matches up to the TV’s dimensions.

A view of a cactus showing pixel density on a FHD and a 4K television

Just remember, going big means no regrets later.