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How to measure a TV
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?
The general rule of thumb is that if you’ve got the space, go as big as you can. Most TVs are all screen and no bezel these days, so you should at least have a few more inches to play with than your last.
You need to think about how far away the screen will be from where you’re sat. This helps you find a good size that won’t be too small, or so big that you’re constantly moving your head to keep up with the action.
- 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.
- For a 10 foot distance, we’d suggest 60-inch TVs or bigger.
Of course, this is just a suggestion – it’s more about what feels right for you.
The last thing you’ll want to check is the width of a TV’s feet. This is important if you’re planning on putting it on top of a unit, as some feet can be wider than you’d expect.
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.
