A TV is sold by its diagonal in inches, but what you need for a stand or wall is the width and height. This chart gives the screen width and height in inches and centimeters for every common TV size, plus how far from the screen to sit.
The most popular sizes today are 43, 55, 65 and 75 inches. Sizes of 85 inches and up are growing fastest.
TV screen size chart (16:9)
All values are for the visible screen of a standard 16:9 TV, which is what almost every TV sold now uses. The frame (bezel) adds about 1 to 3 cm on each side, so check the exact width in the spec sheet before you buy a stand.
| Diagonal (inch) | Diagonal (cm) | Width (cm) | Width (inch) | Height (cm) | Height (inch) |
| 24″ | 61.0 | 53.1 | 20.9 | 29.9 | 11.8 |
| 32″ | 81.3 | 70.8 | 27.9 | 39.8 | 15.7 |
| 40″ | 101.6 | 88.6 | 34.9 | 49.8 | 19.6 |
| 43″ | 109.2 | 95.2 | 37.5 | 53.5 | 21.1 |
| 50″ | 127.0 | 110.7 | 43.6 | 62.3 | 24.5 |
| 55″ | 139.7 | 121.8 | 47.9 | 68.5 | 27.0 |
| 65″ | 165.1 | 143.9 | 56.7 | 80.9 | 31.9 |
| 75″ | 190.5 | 166.0 | 65.4 | 93.4 | 36.8 |
| 85″ | 215.9 | 188.2 | 74.1 | 105.8 | 41.7 |
| 98″ | 248.9 | 217.0 | 85.4 | 122.0 | 48.0 |
How far should you sit from the TV?
A common rule of thumb for a 4K TV is to sit between 1.2 and 1.6 times the screen diagonal away. A closer seat feels more immersive, a farther seat is easier on the eyes. For a 55 inch TV that is about 1.7 to 2.2 meters (5.5 to 7.3 feet).
| TV size | Viewing distance (meters) | Viewing distance (feet) |
| 32″ | 1.0 to 1.3 m | 3.2 to 4.3 ft |
| 43″ | 1.3 to 1.7 m | 4.3 to 5.7 ft |
| 50″ | 1.5 to 2.0 m | 5.0 to 6.7 ft |
| 55″ | 1.7 to 2.2 m | 5.5 to 7.3 ft |
| 65″ | 2.0 to 2.6 m | 6.5 to 8.7 ft |
| 75″ | 2.3 to 3.0 m | 7.5 to 10.0 ft |
| 85″ | 2.6 to 3.5 m | 8.5 to 11.3 ft |
On a Full HD (1080p) TV you may want to sit a little farther back, because pixels become visible sooner. Sitting 4 meters from a TV is fine for a 75 or 85 inch screen, not for a 50 inch one.
How to measure a TV and check that it fits
- Measure the diagonal from one top corner of the screen to the opposite bottom corner. That number is the TV size, usually in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
- Check the width in the chart above and add 2 to 6 cm for the frame.
- Make sure your TV stand is at least as wide as the TV, or that the feet fit on it. Many TVs have feet that sit far apart.
- For wall mounting, check the VESA pattern and the height of the center of the screen. Eye level when seated is about 100 cm from the floor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common TV size?
55 inch is the most common size for a living room, followed by 65 and 43 inch. Bigger TVs are becoming more common as prices fall.
How big is a 55 inch TV in cm?
The diagonal is 139.7 cm. The screen is about 121.8 cm wide and 68.5 cm high.
Is the TV size the width or the diagonal?
It is the diagonal. A 40 inch TV is only about 35 inches (89 cm) wide.
Do 4K and Full HD TVs have the same dimensions?
Yes. Resolution does not change the physical size. A 55 inch Full HD TV and a 55 inch 4K TV have the same screen width and height.
See also: 42 inch TV dimensions in cm.