Based on SMPTE and THX viewing angles
TV Size CalculatorBest Screen Size, Viewing Distance & Dimensions
Find the perfect TV for your room before you buy. Enter how far you sit from the screen and this TV size calculator recommends the ideal screen size for movies, sport and everyday viewing. It also shows exact TV dimensions, where 4K detail becomes visible, how two sizes compare and whether the new TV will fit.
- 3 viewing styles
- 1080p, 4K, 8K detail check
- Room diagram
- Fit and mount check
Measure from your eyes, sitting normally, to the screen. Recommended suits most homes, and Cinema gives a more immersive picture.
Common sizes (highlighted ones suit your distance)
Top view of the room showing your viewing angle
Quick pick
TV sizes are measured diagonally across the screen, in inches, in every country. Outer dimensions are a little larger because of the frame and stand.
Frame allowance is the bezel on each side. Check the exact outer size on the product page before buying.
How the TV size calculator works
The right TV size depends on how much of your view the screen fills. Industry guidelines describe this as a viewing angle. SMPTE suggests the screen should fill at least about 30 degrees of your view, while THX recommends around 40 degrees for a cinema-like experience.
Screen width
width = 2 × distance × tan(angle ÷ 2)Diagonal from width (16:9)
size = width ÷ 0.872Distance for 30°
distance ≈ size × 1.63Distance for 40°
distance ≈ size × 1.216:9 width and height
W = size × 0.872, H = size × 0.490Full 4K detail
visible within ≈ size × 0.78 (inches)The detail figure assumes typical 20/20 vision, where the eye resolves about one arcminute. Sit farther away than that and extra pixels become hard to see.
TV size and viewing distance chart
Screen dimensions and suggested seating distances for popular 16:9 TV sizes. Use the 30 degree column for everyday viewing and the 40 degree column for a more immersive picture.
| TV size | Screen W × H | In cm | 30° distance | 40° distance | Full 4K detail within |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 inch | 37.5 × 21.1 in | 95 × 54 cm | 5.8 ft (1.8 m) | 4.3 ft (1.3 m) | 2.8 ft (0.85 m) |
| 50 inch | 43.6 × 24.5 in | 111 × 62 cm | 6.8 ft (2.1 m) | 5.0 ft (1.5 m) | 3.3 ft (1.0 m) |
| 55 inch | 47.9 × 27.0 in | 122 × 68 cm | 7.5 ft (2.3 m) | 5.5 ft (1.7 m) | 3.6 ft (1.1 m) |
| 65 inch | 56.7 × 31.9 in | 144 × 81 cm | 8.8 ft (2.7 m) | 6.5 ft (2.0 m) | 4.2 ft (1.3 m) |
| 75 inch | 65.4 × 36.8 in | 166 × 93 cm | 10.2 ft (3.1 m) | 7.5 ft (2.3 m) | 4.9 ft (1.5 m) |
| 85 inch | 74.1 × 41.7 in | 188 × 106 cm | 11.5 ft (3.5 m) | 8.5 ft (2.6 m) | 5.5 ft (1.7 m) |
| 98 inch | 85.4 × 48.0 in | 217 × 122 cm | 13.3 ft (4.0 m) | 9.8 ft (3.0 m) | 6.4 ft (1.9 m) |
For a 1080p TV, double the full-detail distance. Screen measurements exclude the frame and stand.
More than a TV viewing distance calculator
Most TV size calculators give one number. This one shows the full picture: size, dimensions, resolution, fit and mounting, all drawn to scale.
Three viewing styles
Casual, recommended and cinema angles, so the advice matches how you actually watch.
Resolution check
Find out whether you will actually see the extra detail of 4K or 8K from your seat.
Room diagram
A top-down drawing shows your seat, the screen and the viewing angle it creates.
Size comparison
Overlay your current and new TV to see how much bigger the upgrade really is.
Will it fit
Check the new TV against your wall space or cabinet, including the frame.
Mounting height
Get the screen center and bottom-edge height so the picture sits at eye level.
How to choose the right TV size
Measure distance
Measure from your usual seat to where the screen will be, at eye level.
Pick a style
Choose recommended for everyday TV or cinema for films, sport and gaming.
Check resolution
See whether a 4K or 8K screen makes a visible difference at your distance.
Confirm the fit
Compare sizes and check the TV against your wall or cabinet before you order.
Testing a new screen? Run the dead pixel test and check the sound with the speaker test.
Tips for picking a TV size
Bigger usually feels better
Many buyers find a new TV looks smaller after a few weeks. If you are between two sizes, the larger one often works well.
Mount at eye level
Place the center of the screen near seated eye height to avoid neck strain.
Mind the stand
Check the distance between the TV's feet. Some sets need a wider cabinet than the screen itself.
Consider light
In bright rooms, glare matters as much as size. Avoid placing the TV opposite a window.
Mock it up
Tape the screen outline on the wall using the dimensions from this tool to judge the size in person.
Check aspect ratio
Resizing images or video for the screen? Use the aspect ratio calculator.
TV size calculator FAQs
What size TV should I get for my room?
Divide your viewing distance in inches by about 1.6 for everyday viewing, or by about 1.2 for a cinema feel. For example, sitting 9 feet (108 inches) away suits roughly a 65 to 85 inch TV.
How far should I sit from a 65-inch TV?
For a 65-inch TV, about 6.5 feet (2 m) gives a cinema-like view and about 8.8 feet (2.7 m) suits everyday viewing. To see full 4K detail, sit within about 4.2 feet.
What are the dimensions of a 65-inch TV?
A 65-inch 16:9 screen measures about 56.7 by 31.9 inches, or 144 by 81 cm. The whole TV is slightly larger because of the frame, and taller with the stand.
How is TV size measured?
TV size is measured diagonally across the visible screen, from one corner to the opposite corner, in inches. The frame is not included.
Does 4K change the ideal viewing distance?
Yes. A 4K screen has four times the pixels of 1080p, so you can sit closer or choose a larger screen without seeing pixels. From far away, the extra detail becomes harder to notice.
Can a TV be too big?
If the screen fills much more than about 40 degrees of your view, you may need to move your eyes or head to follow the action, which can feel tiring. The cinema setting in this tool marks the upper end for most rooms.
How high should I mount my TV?
Aim to place the center of the screen near your seated eye height, which is often around 40 to 42 inches (about 100 to 107 cm) from the floor. The Compare and fit tab calculates the bottom-edge height for your TV.
What viewing angle is recommended for a TV?
SMPTE recommends a screen that fills at least about 30 degrees of your field of view, while THX recommends about 40 degrees for an immersive, cinema-like experience.
Buy the right screen the first time
A TV is a big purchase that you will look at every day. Use this TV size calculator to match the screen to your room, check the detail you will see and make sure it fits before you order.