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TV measurement guide
Let’s make sure your new TV fits first time with no need to shuffle sofas
With a new TV it’s so easy to go for the largest one. And although bigger is better, the last thing you want is to get it home and it not look right in your space. Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, there’s a few things you can do to make sure you pick the right size for you.
Before we get into it, the basic thing you need to know is that a screen is measured diagonally from corner to corner, but this doesn’t include the size of the bezels around the edge. If you’re fitting a TV into a tight space and need to know how big these are, it’s best to look at the width too.
What Size is Right for Me?
How to measure
Before we dive in, here’s a handy TV‑sizing fact to know. Screen size is measured diagonally, corner to corner. That’s just the screen itself, not the bezel around the edge.
Checking it is easy, just grab a tape measure and pull it diagonally across the display from the top‑right corner to the bottom‑left. The number you get is the screen size, usually shown in inches.
If your TV’s going into a tight spot (or you like things fitting snug), it’s also worth checking the width. That way, there’ll be no awkward rearranging once it arrives.
Top tips
Soundbar
Planning on a soundbar? Make sure it fits comfortably between your TV’s stand feet.
Wall bracket
Make sure your wall bracket is the right size for your TV.
Leave a gap behind
Leave a bit of space behind for cables and ventilation. Your TV needs room to breathe.
Plug socket
Check your plug socket location before you decide where your TV’s going to sit.
Find the perfect fit
Most modern TVs are pretty much all screen and hardly any bezel, so chances are you can go a few inches bigger than your old one without it taking over the room, but always double check before you make a choice.
The key is how far you’ll be sitting from the screen. This helps you land on a size that feels just right - not so small you’re squinting, and not so big you’re following the action like you’re courtside at Wimbledon.
For the sweet spot, aim for a viewing distance of around 6 times the TV’s height. And if you’re going for a higher‑quality screen, the good news is you can sit a bit closer without losing picture quality.
Viewing distance
How far you sit from your TV isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all, it depends on the type of screen you’ve got. Higher‑quality screens look better up close. So, if you’ve got a bigger or sharper TV, you don’t need to sit as far back as you might think. For example, with a 65"" TV, sitting around 3ft away can still give you a great view.
If you’re choosing a 4K TV, you can sit even closer (roughly 1.5 times the screen height) thanks to all that extra detail packed into the picture. With HD TVs, you’ll want a bit more distance of around 3 times the screen height. This'll keep everything looking smooth.
The diagrams below break it down a bit more, so you can see exactly what works best for your TV and your space. No guesswork required.
What Sizes Do TVs Come In?
How to measure the space needed
On a TV unit
Stand depth – No overhangs will help to keep it steady
Ventilation space – Leave room to breathe
Unit width – Make sure it fits comfortably on top
If it's wall mounted
Space for cables – Plugs need somewhere to go
Tilt & swivel clearance – Room to move without bumps
Wall width & height – Big enough wall to put it at the right viewing height
Guides and advice
FAQs
- How do I measure a TV screen?
You’ll need to measure a screen diagonally from corner to corner. Make sure to jot down the figure in inches.
- What sizes do TVs come in?
Our smallest TV is 24 inches and this ranges all the way up to a whopping 100-inch screen. The most popular size is around 55 inches.
- What size TV is best for my room?
There’re many things to consider when choosing the size of TV. You want it to suit the size of the room (instead of swamping everything in sight) and you’ll want to think about the distance you’ll be sat from it too. If your sofa’s around 8 feet from the TV, you’ll want a 50-inch screen. If the distance is around 9 feet, we’d recommend a 55-inch TV. And for a 10-foot distance, we’d suggest 60-inch TVs or bigger.
Then there’re other practical things like the size and type of wall (if you’re mounting it) or what your TV stand is capable of holding.
- What TV size should I get?
Generally, the bigger you can go the better. Check out our buying guide for tips on how to find the right TV size for you.
- How big is a 24-inch TV?
To get an idea for this screen size, measure 24 inches diagonally and 21 inches wide. A display of this size is great for putting in a bedroom or conservatory.
Shop this size here.
- How big is a 32-inch TV?
A screen of this size measures 32 inches diagonally from corner to corner. If you measured the width of it, it’d be around 27.9 inches, depending on the size of the bezels.
Is this the right size for you? Shop here.
- How big is a 40-inch TV?
This TV screen will measure 40 inches diagonally, from corner to corner. Want to know how wide they are? The number is somewhere around 35 inches.
Sound good? Shop 40-inch TVs here.
- How big is a 50-inch TV?
These TV screens will measure 50 inches diagonally, from corner to corner. If you’re trying to figure out their width, this is somewhere around 43.6 inches.
Find a 50-inch TV here.
- How big is a 55-inch TV?
To get an idea of how big a 55-inch screen will be, you’ll need to measure 55 inches diagonally on your wall. If you want to know the width, this is usually around 47.9 inches.
Want to look at 55-inch TVs? Check them out here.
- How big is a 60-inch TV?
A 60-inch TV is definitely bigger than your average – but who wants average?
The 60-inch screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner, while the width is around 52.3 inches.
- How big is a 65-inch TV?
The 65-inch screen on a TV is measured diagonally, it’s not the width. For this size TV, the width is usually around 56.7 inches.
Get your 65-inch TV here.
- How big is a 70-inch TV?
A 70-inch TV is really big. The screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner. The actual width of the screen will be around 61 inches.
Ready to go big? Shop our 70-inch TVs here.
- Why can you not get a 32-inch 4K TV?
To keep it simple, you wouldn’t see much difference in detail if you made the jump from Full HD to 4K on a screen of this size. A 4K resolution is better suited for TVs 40 inches or above.
- What is the smallest TV size?
The smallest TV we stock is 24 inches. Smaller sizes are more affordable and ideal for the kid’s bedroom, the kitchen or a spare room.
- Can a TV be too big for a room?
Yes it can. Go too big and your TV can overpower the space, strain your eyes, and have you turning your head just to keep up with the action.
