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When shopping for a new TV, picking the right dimensions to perfectly fill the space on your wall or in your TV stand is just as important as understanding the nuances of the technology inside. I’ve tested TVs for a living for almost a decade, and seen firsthand how important it is to buy a TV to fit your space, rather than moving furniture around to accommodate an under- or oversized screen. The TV is the centerpiece of your living room or den, so it’s imperative to ensure that it fits just right.
So before you go buy your next TV, take a minute and measure the size of the space where you want it to go, and keep those measurements in mind while you shop. After setting up TVs of all shapes and sizes over the years, I’ve got this process down to a science, so I’ll tell you everything you need to know.
How to Measure a TV and Figure Out What Size You Need
The goal of measuring a TV (and/or the space where you want your TV to go) is to figure out the screen size that suits your space. As with phones, laptop screens, and PC monitors, brands use TV sizes based on a diagonal measurement of the display—that number doesn’t correspond to the width or the height of the TV. (It also doesn’t factor in the frame around the display panel, also known as the bezels.)
Luckily, TV brands do also provide the full dimensions of every model—height, width, and depth— so if you measure the space where your TV needs to go, you’ll know you can find one that least approximately fit, sight unseen. You can find these dimensions for any TV in the full “tech specs” on the manufacturer’s website.
When you measure the space for your TV, measure the height and width of the space you’re looking to fill. Of course, if you already have a TV in that space and want the same size model, simply measure the height and width of the TV. Modern TVs are quite thin, so depth shouldn’t be a factor in most circumstances.
Make sure to measure the full size of the set, including the bezels. If you plan to set the TV on a stand, make sure to factor in the size of base of the TV. Depending on the model, your TV may sit on a pair of small legs on either side or a central column: Either way, you’ll want to know how high it elevates the screen, especially if you’re placing the TV inside an enclosed, cabinet-style TV entertainment center.
The same goes for verifying that your furniture can accommodate the TV’s weight. A modern 65-inch TV like the TCL QM8K, for example, weighs around 50 pounds with its integrated stand. In general, TVs get considerably heavier as the screen gets larger. Many stands are rated to handle a specific maximum size, but I recommend looking at the actual weight limit, so you know if it can handle the TV, as well as a soundbar, game consoles, and everything else you may put underneath it. When in doubt, go for a larger, sturdier TV stand: You don’t want your whole setup to collapse under its own weight.
If you’re mounting the TV on a wall, I’d recommend marking the approximate center of the space within your measurements—half-way up, half-way across—so you know where to install your VESA bracket. Likewise, make sure you buy a bracket made to accommodate your new TV’s weight and dimensions.
Don’t Forget About Viewing Distance
There are actually two measurements you need to make before picking a TV. After you figure out how much space you have to place your TV, you should also measure the distance between the TV and the front of your couch, chair, or wherever you’re sitting.
According to the Society of Television and Motion Picture Engineers, your TV should take up 30 to 40 percent of your field of vision. You can create that field of view by sitting a certain distance away from TV, based on its size. It’s easier to pick a TV to suit the size and setup of your living room than it is to adjust your furniture to accommodate an over- or undersized TV, so I recommend measuring that distance ahead of time.
Based on the SMPTE’s recommendation, the distance between you and your TV should be approximately 3 times the height of your TV screen, so multiply the TV height measurement you took before and you’ll know how far away to sit. You can also, of course, use a handy screen distance calculator and plug in either a screen size or viewing distance in to find its perfect match.
With both the TV dimensions and viewing distance in hand, you’re ready to pick out the size of your next TV.
Everything You Need to Know About TV Screen Sizes
Modern TVs generally range between 32 and 115 inches. (Again, measured diagonally.) The most popular sizes, and by extension the most frequently produced, fall between 50 and 65 inches, which is large enough for a group to watch comfortably in an average-sized room.
Larger TVs—75 inches and above—take up a massive amount of space. They will turn any room into a private movie theater, but they are best reserved for large living rooms where you sit at least 10 feet away from the screen. Buying a screen this size used to be extremely expensive, but you can now upgrade to a stellar 98-inch TV from a reputable maker for less than $3,000: If a screening room is your DIY dream project, there’s never been a better time to put one together.
Check Out My Favorite New TVs, in Sizes to Fit Every Space
C5 OLED TV (42-inch)
The 42-inch LG C5 Series is our favorite mainstream OLED TV in its most compact form. If you are looking for amazing picture quality in a small space, this is hands down your best option.
$1196.99 at amazon.com
U8 Series 4K Mini-LED TV (55-inch)
This Hisense U8 Series iteration is the best mini-LED TV with a 55-inch screen. Similarly equipped competitors from other makers are available in 65-inch and bigger screen sizes, making the Hisense product a rarity.
$878.99 at amazon.com
QM8K 4K Mini-LED TV
The TCL QM8K is our favorite mini-LED TV worth your attention, offering an elegant design, beautiful picture quality, and surprisingly powerful sound. The product has a 65-inch screen in entry-level guise.
$1297.99 at amazon.com
QM7K Series Smart 4K TV (85-inch)
The 85-inch QM7K Series mini-LED TV by TCL makes getting great picture quality in a large screen form factor surprisingly affordable. Back in the day, TVs this big used to cost considerably more.
$1797.99 at amazon.com
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