TV size and viewing distance table
Once you've measured your viewing distance, take a peek at our chart below to find your best TV size.
How to find the right TV
Today's TVs come in numerous sizes, with an ever-evolving range of resolutions and technical features. So, how do you pick your perfect screen?
We recommend starting your TV buying journey by measuring your viewing distance with a tape measure – that's the distance between your TV and sofa. This will give you a rough idea of your TV's ideal size. Then, decide your budget, preferred resolution and any must-have features.
| TV size | Optimal seating distance(feet) | Optimal seating distance(cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 32" | 4' - 6'6" | 122 - 198cm |
| 40" | 4'9" - 8'2" | 145 - 249 cm |
| 43" | 5'3" - 8'9" | 160 - 267 cm |
| 50" | 5' - 7'10" | 152 - 239 cm |
| 55” | 5'6" - 8'8" | 168 - 264 cm |
| 60" | 6' - 9'5" | 183 - 287 cm |
| 65" | 6'6" - 10'3" | 198 - 312 cm |
| 70” | 7' - 11' | 213 - 335 cm |
| 75" | 7'6" - 11'10" | 229 - 361 cm |
| 80" | 8' - 12'7" | 244 - 384 cm |
| 85” | 8'6" - 13'4" | 259 - 406 cm |
| 90" | 9' - 14'2" | 274 - 432 cm |
What are the standard TV screen sizes?
Currently, the most popular screen sizes are 43", 50", 55", 65" and 75". If you're entertaining the idea of a home cinema, you'll be glad to learn that some brands have designed screens between 90-100".
Some people like their existing TV's size and just fancy a newer model. So, if you want to measure it, grab one end of your tape measure and place it in the screen's top left corner. Then, read the distance in inches to the bottom right corner. And voila.
Using this method, a small 32'' TV is 32 inches when measured from corner to corner. It is 15.7" high by 27.9" wide. Or, when measuring in centimetres, it's 39.9cm tall by 70.9cm wide.
| Size | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 32" | 27.9” (70.9 cm) | 15.7" (39.9 cm) |
| 40" | 34.9" (88.6 cm) | 19.6" (49.8 cm) |
| 43" | 37.5" (95.3 cm) | 21.1" (53.6 cm) |
| 50" | 43.6" (110.7 cm) | 24.5" (62.2 cm) |
| 55" | 47.9" (121.7 cm) | 27" (68.6 cm) |
| 60" | 52.3" (132.8 cm) | 29.4" (74.7 cm) |
| 65" | 56.7" (144 cm) | 31.9" (81 cm) |
| 70" | 61" (154.9 cm) | 34.3" (87.1 cm) |
| 75" | 65.4" (166.1 cm) | 36.8" (93.5 cm) |
| 80" | 69.7" (177 cm) | 39.2" (99.6 cm) |
| 85" | 74.1" (188.2 cm) | 41.7" (105.9 cm) |
Screen resolution
Next up is screen resolution. At first glance, this appears to be a jumble of numbers and letters, but they refer to the number of pixels within your screen. Ultimately, the more pixels, the clearer your image will be displayed.
You'll want to pick your resolution based on how you'll be using your TV. Will you be watching the odd soap opera on a weeknight? Binging boxsets on demand? Or enjoying 48-hour gaming sessions?
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720p
- Most broadcasters televise at 720p. This standard high-definition (HD) resolution boasts 1280x720 pixels.
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1080p
- 1080p TVs are also called Full HD (FHD) screens. They exhibit 1920x1080 pixels and share up to five times better image quality than 720p TVs. This resolution is ideal for small to medium-sized screens and perfect for watching ordinary TV programs.
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4K
- Also known as Ultra HD (UHD), 4K TVs have four times more pixels than 1080p screens. They deliver crisper lines, sharper colours and a superior depth of field, which is perfect for gamers. Unsure whether to upgrade from 1080p to a 4K TV? It makes a noticeable difference when watching native 4K video – content with an input resolution of 4K, rather than upscaled video.
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8K
- 8K TVs feature four times more pixels than 4K TVs and deliver extraordinarily natural-looking imagery and colours. However, few TV programs, films, games and apps are available in native 8K, and most of this content is simply upscaled from 4K.
Different screen types
It's time to consider the different TV screens; flat versus curved.
Flat-screen TVs are exceptionally popular. They feature a thin screen, excellent picture, and are less prone to reflection than curved TVs. While curved displays offer an immersive viewing experience, particularly when viewed straight-on.
Once you've chosen a screen shape, consider your screen type. There are several kinds to bear in mind.
LED TVs
LED TVs are a type of LCD screen. They've been backlit with LEDs (light-emitting diodes), which allows them to be thinner, brighter and more efficient.
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QLED TVs
QLED (quantum light-emitting diode) screens are the next generation of LED TVs. Tiny quantum dots are integrated within the display to improve the brightness, colour quality and screen longevity.
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OLED TVs
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs are the latest evolution of LCD screens. Instead of backlit LEDs, they feature a small, organic compound that emits light in response to electricity. This enables richer colours and deeper contrast. However, due to the finite lifespan of the compounds, these screens can suffer from burn-in and lose vibrancy over time.
Shop now »What features should I look for?
Next, it's time to think about those tech-tastic features – think futuristic tech, ports and add-ons. Scroll down to see how you can enhance your next setup.
Dolby True HD
An extraordinary entertainment system featuring high-definition graphics and tantalising sounds compatible with a soundbar.
Dolby Vision
Incredible picture quality, fantastic colours, contrast, and greater depth.
Dolby Atmos
A superior 3D surround sound experience.
Dolby Audio
A dynamic 2D audio experience that produces an extraordinary sound.
Virtual Dolby
Enjoy a surround sound experience with two speakers.
Subwoofer
A speaker dedicated to producing powerful low-frequency audio – otherwise known as bass. If you're a gamer or film fanatic, you may be interested in a subwoofer.
Refresh rate
The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and less jumpy your viewing experience will be. 60 Hz is fairly standard, 120 Hz is good, but 240 Hz is exceptionally smooth and ideal for gaming.
USB
This is a popular port for transferring images, music and movies.
HDMI
This handy port connects a digital device to your TV and displays the content without losing quality. We recommend choosing a TV with several HDMI or HDMI 2.1 ports.
HDR
Look for a high dynamic range (HDR) screen to ensure the greatest contrast between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks. This way, graphics will appear even more lifelike.
Smart TV
These TVs feature a powerful computer. Smart TVs let you download your favourite apps, like Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify. And allow you to stream music, watch videos and use social media.
Voice activation
This is a common feature of most Smart TVs. With it, there's no need to use the remote; just speak a command and let your virtual assistant do the work. Popular assistants include Google, Amazon Echo and Bixby.
Check out our best TVs
The TV with the best sound
The Sony Bravia XR A90J is a top-of-the-line television known for its exceptional sound quality. It features Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which uses actuators to vibrate the TV panel and create sound from the entire screen, making for a truly immersive experience.
Overall, the sound quality on the Sony Bravia XR A90J is unmatched, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize audio quality in their home entertainment setup.
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The best cheap smart TV
The Hisense A6 TV series offers excellent value for its price, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers. Despite its affordable price, the A6 series boasts impressive features such as 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR support, and a range of smart TV functionalities.
Overall, the Hisense A6 series provides a great bang for your buck, making it an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their home entertainment system without breaking the bank
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The TV with best picture quality
The LG G3 TV series is known for its outstanding picture quality. These TVs feature LG's OLED technology, which delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and exceptional color accuracy. Additionally, LG's Alpha 9 Gen 4 processor powers the G3 series, which enhances the TV's color, clarity, and motion handling. This processor also enables the TV to upscale non-4K content to near 4K quality, resulting in a sharper and more detailed picture.
Overall, the picture quality on LG G3 TVs is top-notch, making them an excellent choice for those who value exceptional visual performance.
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The best TV for a low price
The Samsung 2023 Q60 QLED TV series is an excellent option for those looking for a high-quality TV at an affordable price. The Q60 series includes a range of advanced features, such as 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR support, and smart TV functionalities. Despite all these features, the Q60 series is priced very competitively, making it accessible for a wide range of consumers.
Overall, the Samsung 2023 Q60 QLED TVs are a great value, providing excellent picture quality and advanced features at an affordable price point.
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The best TV to buy
The Toshiba UK3C TVs feature 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR support, which ensures stunning picture quality with vivid colors and deep blacks. Additionally, the UK3C series includes Dolby Vision, which enhances the HDR performance, providing a broader range of colors and more significant contrast. The Toshiba UK3C also has built-in Amazon Alexa capabilities, enabling users to control the TV with their voice.
Overall, the Toshiba UK3C TVs offer a range of advanced features and excellent picture quality, making them an attractive option for those looking for a high-quality TV.
Shop now »Soundbars
Soundbars are a great addition to home entertainment systems because they provide a high-quality audio experience that enhances the overall viewing experience. Unlike built-in TV speakers, soundbars offer better clarity, deeper bass, and a wider soundstage, making it easier to distinguish between different sounds and fully immerse oneself in the content being played. Additionally, soundbars are generally compact and easy to install, making them a convenient option for those who want to upgrade their audio without investing in a full surround sound system.
Overall, soundbars offer an affordable and effective way to elevate the audio quality of home entertainment systems.
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What are the best TV brands?
Unless you're shopping for a specific brand, searching for a TV by its manufacturer can feel daunting. There are hundreds of brands to choose from, and each manufacturer delivers its idea of a great experience. Take a peek at our top-selling TV brands.
As one of the world leaders in tech, Samsung is at the forefront of new product developments. They create some of the best TVs, particularly its QLED screens.
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This brand offers an immersive, cinema-like experience across all audio and visuals.
These TVs are known for their premium build. They offer fantastic levels of brightness and contrast, plus excellent imagery upscaling.
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Enjoy a low-priced TV built in the same factories as the big-name brands. electriQ boasts sleek screens and great refresh rates.
These TVs offer a wide range of well-built budget models with a simple operating system.
Shop Hisense »Frequently asked questions
-
How many years does a
TV last?
The average television lasts four to ten years, depending on how frequently it's used. This is equal to 40,000-100,000 hours of screen time.
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What are the signs of an ageing TV?
Vertical lines, a dull or fuzzy screen, warped or fading imagery, dead pixels and low sound quality are all symptoms of a TV going out. LED and OLED screens can also suffer from image burn-in, which is irreversible.
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Will leaving a TV on
all the time damage it?
Leaving your TV on all the time will quickly reduce the screen's lifespan. This is because it dims the colours and can affect the sound quality.