If you are reading this, then you are probably in the market for a new television. Whether your old one broke, you want to make an upgrade or set up another room in the house with a television, there is a reason for it, and you need to make an order soon.
Yet while you might know other things about what kind of television you want or your budget, the exact size might still be a mystery to you. What you need for different situations will vary, and if your new TV is too big or too small, it could lead to issues or even needing to return the TV (if that is an option). We want you to avoid the hassle by preparing ahead of time and telling you which measurements to make, and that is why you should consider all the following information:
If you are not aware already, and it can be an unintuitive thing, television size is determined by the number of inches between two opposite corners. It is not the width or height of the screen, and there are TVs of practically any size. If the TV has a larger border or bezel, it is strictly the screen and not the border that counts (which may come into play if you are making precise fittings or measurements).
Note that while some televisions can be wider than others, most will have roughly the same proportions because most content is created with that ratio in mind. Therefore, when you hear a screen size, you can probably get a good idea of how large a model will be (though you should still check the exact measurements in all directions before buying if you need something specific).
Also, a caveat here is that while you might be able to envision a size in your head, there is no substitute for actually going out there and seeing television sets of that size. While 70" might not seem like a lot in your head, it can be massive in person.
If you want to compare to your current television but forgot how large it is or cannot find a receipt or order form, you can do the following:
Of course, whatever is accurate and works for you is fine. Just be sure to write down the dimensions somewhere for when you go shopping for your new TV. While there are apps that might let you "try out" a TV virtually, in our opinion, the technology isn't there just yet.
Just because a television is larger, that does not mean that it is better. There is a clear difference between size and resolution, and it's noticeable if you have ever been close up to a large, older TV or a smaller yet newer one. While things such as contrast and brightness matter significantly, the resolution is the critical component of picture quality these days.
Here are some basic notes on what resolution to look for:
Overall, this is likely less of a problem than you might think it is. You will not get something outside of a 4K TV unless you get something tiny (probably not for living room purposes) or looking for the latest, greatest, and most expensive model.
One of the main factors that should decide what screen size you should get is how far away from the TV you will generally be when watching it (your couch placement). You do not want to be overwhelmed and see every pixel, and you do not want to feel as though the screen is too small and hard to read, either. Chances are you have already adjusted this without realizing it in previous homes or noticed it in others.
There are a few competing (but all still effective) formulas for determining this, including:
If you just want a basic guideline and do not need to optimize this precisely, you can use this chart:
We recommend measuring how far away you view the TV from currently and use that as a rough baseline. Unless you are moving into an entirely new living room, you probably do not want to rearrange things too much for the sake of the TV. While there certainly is wiggle room (a few inches will not make a noticeable difference), a significant change in size might require a shift in couch placement as well. Viewing height might also matter, so make sure you are comfortable watching for long periods.
Since it would be pointless and outright annoying to list every size, let us narrow it down to a few main categories and provide some general thoughts on each:
Less than 40": While we generally do not recommend a TV smaller than 40", a TV of this size might be suitable for the bedside or a dorm room (as mentioned) or any place where space is limited. You will likely be watching from a few feet away, so take care when using it.
40"-48": Do you have a small living space but still want good picture quality? A 40-48" TV is likely your best option, allowing you to have a decent picture (4K models can be easily found) at close range (you won't see the pixels), and as long as you get a decent model, you will not be missing out on the quality in other regards as well. It could also work well as a secondary TV for a guest bedroom or the like.
48"-60": A reasonable TV size for a reasonable home. You likely have one within this range already. These TVs are reasonably priced and can provide excellent value to the average household for years. In terms of the viewing experience, they are standard and will be perfectly fine.
60"-75"- Do you want to have company over to watch the latest episode of your favorite show or a recent movie release? Do you like to watch sports at top quality without any compromise? With a full spread of chips and snacks in front of you on the coffee table? Do you want a TV that you can proudly call the main TV of your home in a sizable living room? Get a TV in this size range (especially the higher end), and you will not regret it.
75"-90": These are some of the largest TVs on the market, meant for filling a large room and likely being able to handle a party. Instead of a TV of this size, you might want to consider a projector instead, though there are distinct disadvantages and perks to using one you should consider first.
90+" After this point, you will be spending a ridiculous amount of money for a television, with diminishing returns. You are probably showing off, have a business reason for getting such a large screen, have a vast living room, or simply want to fill up your whole wall. At any rate, you are well beyond the realm of the practical and into the price range of a used car.
Naturally, your mileage may vary, and things such as your budget strongly dictate what is best for you, though note that other features and options are generally untethered to screen size. Your main takeaway here is that you should think about what you need and not just think bigger is better.
On top of just the space you are putting it in, the intended use, and everything else listed above, there are a few other things you might want to keep in mind when picking out your next television, some related to size and others not:
If your television uses a stand or comes with one, which is likely the case, naturally, a larger television means a larger stand you will need to accommodate. This is probably not a problem, but some entertainment centers might not fit the stand so easily. You will want to make sure the stand can remain stable wherever it rests so the television cannot be knocked over by accident (especially if you have small children or pets in the house, both for their safety and the safety of the television). Do whatever you can to keep the TV stable, as larger TVs can come down hard and come down quickly with the right applied force.
Wall mounts might be easier and should not be an issue as you likely have some more control as to exactly where on the wall they go. The television's weight might come into play, but unless your wall is weak (a much bigger problem than your TV), the wall mounts are designed to handle it.
The border of a TV will not matter much in most circumstances. However, this is just a reminder that when setting up your TV, the size does not include the border or frame of the television. Pick your TV and prepare accordingly, especially if you have a tight space.
Finally, on what might be a minor note, keep whatever extra mountings or brackets you get with your TV when you move. Your placement might change if you move, and you do not want to order extra parts. If you have space, perhaps consider keeping the TV box and keeping the parts in there, making moving it a breeze and safe.
Lighting matters when it comes to the viewing experience. You probably already know this when you want to turn down the lights when watching a soon-to-be-favorite film on your TV. However, some TVs handle light better than others. In a bright room, an LED or LCD TV is the way to go.
A larger screen might help counteract this, but it will be far more effective to offset the excess light through either a switch, less intense bulbs, or some curtains to block out the sunlight during daytime viewing. Also, make sure to reduce glare as much as possible through the placement of the room's lights and the TV.
Being able to adjust the tilt of the television a bit can help immensely, and smaller televisions benefit more from such a feature. However, the initial placement of your television matters a lot, and size can become a factor in this. It is generally recommended that you mount or place your TV about 25 inches from the floor, though this might need to be adjusted (trust your senses more than this guide when finally setting things up).
In general, you should have a viewing angle that is at most 25 degrees from the TV, though you might be able to get away with a slightly larger angle depending on other factors. Of course, a direct viewpoint perpendicular to the TV is the best option for both the experience and your neck.
Alternatively, you might want to look for a TV that can accommodate viewers from different viewing angles regardless, especially if you entertain often. This can vary from model to model and depends on the screen type much more than size (look for IPS panels, though they can have lower overall contrast). However, a larger TV will likely be able to accommodate more people in terms of viewing angle, allowing for a better experience.
On top of all the above, curved screens are available and have niche popularity. While common with computer monitors for either gaming or watching media, a curved screen can result in a truly immersive experience when viewed from close enough. A curved screen can create a panoramic effect, but it has not caught on much and curved screens are now considered a niche product.
The problem with screens like this is that even a slightly off viewing angle can cause bowing, and there is often a lot of glare on the screen. The larger the TV is, the greater the problem can be. While this is not an issue for people sitting directly at a computer, a bunch of people in the living room are going to have problems.
Now, unless you are incredibly wealthy or want to host a ridiculously large Sunday football party, you do not need a giant screen, the ones not available in your standard electronics store. However, the technology surrounding the latest televisions and increasing screen sizes can be interesting to follow, if only for the implications in the future (what is abnormal today will likely be normal a few years down the road).
Some of the craziest examples include:
Eventually, larger televisions will easily compete with the best aspects of a projector, which can effectively reach any size if you get a good enough model. Yet, these come with their own disadvantages and environmental requirements.
Only you know the exact size you are looking for, but we hope that all of the information above can allow you to make an easier and more confident decision. This is not necessarily an easy decision, and as you can tell, there is a lot to consider outside of whether it fits in your living room and entertainment area. Please come back to this page if you feel the need, and we hope you enjoy your new television, whatever size it is.
