To determine the ideal TV size based on room size and viewing distance, several established guidelines and formulas can be used. The most common method involves measuring the distance from your seating position to the TV and applying a multiplier based on desired viewing angle and resolution.
For a standard viewing experience, divide your viewing distance (in inches) by 1.4 to get the recommended TV size in inches. For example, if you sit 84 inches from the TV, a 60-inch screen is recommended. This calculation is based on a 40-degree field of view, which aligns with THX recommendations for an immersive experience.
Alternatively, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) suggests a minimum 30-degree viewing angle, which can be approximated by multiplying the viewing distance by 0.6. For a 40-degree viewing angle, use a multiplier of 0.84. These multipliers help ensure the screen fills a comfortable portion of your field of vision without causing eye strain.
A simplified rule of thumb is to divide the viewing distance (in inches) by 2 to estimate the ideal screen size. For instance, sitting 10 feet (120 inches) from the TV would suggest a 60-inch screen. Another approach, recommended by some sources, is to divide the viewing distance by 3 to determine the minimum screen size.
For room-specific guidance, consider the following recommendations based on viewing distance:
6 feet or less: 40-inch TV
6 to 9 feet: 50-inch TV
9 to 12 feet: 60-inch TV
12 to 15 feet: 70-inch TV
These guidelines are influenced by screen resolution. Higher resolutions like 4K allow for closer viewing distances without pixelation, making larger screens more viable even in smaller rooms. For optimal results, use a TV size calculator that incorporates resolution, room dimensions, and personal preferences.
Ultimately, while formulas provide a solid starting point, personal comfort and room layout should also be considered. Tools based on industry standards such as THX, SMPTE, and CEDIA offer professional-grade recommendations and can be used to calculate optimal viewing distance, screen size, and mounting height.
Here is a better guide that will also explain the logic of it. https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/size-to-distance-relationship Answer from msb45 on reddit.com
RTINGS
rtings.com › home › tv › guide
TV Size To Distance Calculator (And The Science Behind It) - RTINGS.com
January 29, 2025 - TVs Brands TCL Hisense Gaming 65-Inch OLED 55-Inch Smart 70-75 Inch 48-50 Inch Outdoor Vizio Samsung 80-85 Inch Budget PS5/PS5 Pro 40-42-43 Inch Roku Bright Room ... Compare Size to Distance NEW Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Recommendation Custom Ratings
Best Buy
bestbuy.com › discover and learn › tips & ideas
What TV Size Is Best for My Room? - Best Buy
Want the ideal TV size for your room? Best Buy guides you through how to find the perfect TV size to enhance your entertainment experience.
How accurate / correct is this TV size / viewing distance guide from Samsung in your opinion?
Here is a better guide that will also explain the logic of it. https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/size-to-distance-relationship More on reddit.com
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March 20, 2024TV Size to Distance Calculator Question
From your eyeballs
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May 7, 2019A handy guide. TV Size to Distance Calculator and Science
I got a 65 inch and sit about 11 feet from the tv. My wife is already irritated I bought a 4k tv when she liked the 1080p set we had. Now that I've got science to prove we have to go bigger, she's gonna go ape shit.
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December 24, 2017What's the best way to calculate desired screen size?
The formula for calculating the perfect screen size is the intersection of what you can afford and what your wife will allow. More on reddit.com
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June 30, 2020Videos
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Inch Calculator
inchcalculator.com › home › tv & video › tv size and viewing distance calculator
TV Size and Viewing Distance Calculator - Inch Calculator
February 28, 2024 - Find how big of a TV you need using our TV size and distance calculator. Find the best TV size for your room, viewing angle, and resolution.
LG
lg.com › home › lg experience › helpful hints › how to measure a tv – tv size charts
How to Measure a TV – TV Size Charts | LG UK
This helpful guide will teach you how to measure a TV screen and read TV sizes to find the perfect viewing height and distance for any room.
Playhometechnology
playhometechnology.com › easy-guide-how-to-calculate-tv-size-for-a-room
TV Size Calculator - Find the Perfect Fit for Your Room | Easy Guide
To simplify the process, you can use a TV size calculator that takes into account your viewing distance and provides a recommended screen size. These calculators consider factors such as the screen resolution, pixel density, and the level of detail you desire, helping you find the perfect TV size for your room. Table: Example of Recommended TV Sizes Based on Viewing Distance
Hometheaterengineering
hometheaterengineering.com › viewingdistancecalculator.html
Viewing Distance Calculator
specify a viewing distance, the calculator will tell you what the optimal seating distances are for the selected screen size. This diagram shows the data required to use the calculator and interpret the results. ... Based on the inputs, this is the viewing angle or arc for your set up. ... , which suggests a viewing distance of three to six screen widths for video. This corresponds to the point at which most people will begin having trouble picking out details and reading the screen. Probably too far away to be effective for home theater, OK for everyday TV viewing.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/hometheater › how accurate / correct is this tv size / viewing distance guide from samsung in your opinion?
r/hometheater on Reddit: How accurate / correct is this TV size / viewing distance guide from Samsung in your opinion?
March 20, 2024 - I'm somewhere around 7 or 7.5 ft from a 75 inch TV and I like the size and it seems closer to the chart. Now if you're going for something more casual or multipurpose, a little smaller is probably fine. In my living room, I'm about 11 or 12 ft from a 70 inch TV.
Samsung
samsung.com › us › tvs › tv-buying-guide › what-size-tv-should-i-get
What Size TV Should I Get? | Guide to TV Sizes | Samsung US
November 9, 2021 - Check out these tips from Samsung to determine what size TV you should buy. Learn how to measure your TV screen size and compare sizing with our TV size chart.
Arzopa
arzopa.com › blogs › guide › distance-calculator-for-displays
The Ultimate Guide to Distance Calculator for Displays: Optimizing You – Arzopa
October 22, 2024 - Example: For a 50-inch 4K TV, sit between 4.2 to 6.3 feet away. ... Allow for even closer viewing, about 0.5 to 1 times the screen size. Example: For a 50-inch 8K display, you could sit as close as 2.1 to 4.2 feet away.
Vogel's
vogels.com › en › c › tv › the-ideal-viewing-distance-for-a-tv
TV viewing distance calculator, find the best spot | Vogel's
The decisive factor for the calculation is the size of the screen diagonal (TV size) in centimetres. To give you concrete examples to help you plan your living room or bedroom and decide on a TV size, we have calculated the distances for the most common sizes.
Omni Calculator
omnicalculator.com › other › screen-size
Screen Size Calculator
April 16, 2024 - The screen size calculator can help you determine the screen dimensions. Have you ever wondered what the statement, the diagonal of the screen is equal to 40" means? How much space does it take up on the wall? What are its height and width? Here, you can determine the monitor size or phone screen dimensions. If you're curious enough, you can even determine how to measure a curved TV screen size!
Bdiusa
bdiusa.com › blog › how-to-choose-the-right-tv-size
How To Choose the Right TV Size for Your Space
A 42-inch TV should be mounted about 56 inches from the floor to the center. A 55-inch set should be around 61 inches from floor to center. A 70-inch television should be mounted about 67 inches from floor to center.
Asurion
asurion.com › connect › tech-tips › how-to-choose-tv-size
What size TV do you need for your room? | Asurion
December 4, 2025 - Next, divide by three. Voila, that's the screen size you'll want. For example, if your couch is 120 inches from where you plan on putting the TV, your screen size should be at least 40 inches. When deciding what size TV to buy, consider how and where you'll set it up in the room.
Tvsizedistance
tvsizedistance.com
TV Size Distance Calculator - Optimal Viewing Distance, Room Size, Mounting Height
Setting up your TV for optimal viewing? Our free tool calculates viewing distance, room-appropriate TV size, and mounting height based on resolution, room dimensions, and usage.
Samsung
samsung.com › us › support › answer › ANS00043948
What size Samsung TV do you need for your room
For crowded rooms, you should go with at least a 40-inch screen if you are seated more than six feet from the TV. A 50-inch screen is good within 7.5 feet of the TV. If you are 9 feet away, a 60-inch screen is probably as small as you want to go.
Hulu
cabletv.com › tv-viewing-distance-calculator
TV Size and Viewing-Distance Calculator
November 12, 2024 - Watching your TV from the appropriate distance for its size or choosing a TV based on the size of your viewing area will help you enjoy your television display at its best. Think of it as picking the best seat in a movie theater. Our calculations are based on recommendations from the Society ...
XTEN-AV
xtenav.com › home › free screen size calculator | optimize your viewing experience with xten-av
Free Screen Size Calculator - Optimize Your Viewing Experience
April 14, 2025 - Step 1: Open XTEN-AV’s Screen Size Calculator. Enter the dimensions of your av room accurately to provide the calculator with the necessary information. Step 2: Specify the orientation of your audiovisual room, considering factors like natural light and desired viewing angles. Step 3: Based on your room layout and preferences, choose the appropriate display purpose, whether it’s for general viewing, basic decision-making, or analytical decision-making.
Crutchfield
crutchfield.com › articles & videos: home › tvs & video › tvs
What's the best size TV for my room?
September 5, 2024 - If you're planning on planting a sound bar beneath your TV, you'll need to make sure you have enough room for it. No one wants their sound bar blocking the bottom portion of their screen. Just calculate the difference between the height with and without the stand.
Calculator Online
calculator-online.net › tv-size-calculator
TV Size Calculator
Don’t forget to check out our tv size calculator as you can find the TV size by the distance and screen resolution of your TV by using it. The formula for estimating the viewing distance from TV is given by: ... The human eye can distinguish two things if these are separated by an angular distance of 1/60. The room tv size calculator is programmed by keeping in view this minimal distance for eye recognition.
Panasonic
panasonic.com › uk › consumer › televisions-learn › televisions › tv-size-to-distance-calculator-how-to-find-the-perfect-size-tv.html
TV Size to Viewing Distance Calculator UK | Panasonic UK & Ireland
TV Size to Distance Calculator: How to Find the Perfect Size TV · When it comes to buying a new TV, many people are unsure what size TV to go for. Do you really need a massive screen the size of your wall or is a small one sufficient for a cinematic experience? And should you opt for a TV with 4K UHD resolution or go with 1080p instead? The right size doesn’t only depend on your personal preferences but can actually be determined based ...