TV Size Calculator
Pick a TV size from how far away you sit. A screen that is too small looks like a postage stamp from the couch, and one that is too large can be tiring up close.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
The screen width is set by the viewing angle: twice the distance times the tangent of half the angle. A wider angle makes the picture feel more immersive.
The diagonal of a 16 by 9 screen is its width times the square root of one plus nine sixteenths squared, about 1.15 times the width.
Worked example
Sitting 8 ft from the screen at a 35 degree view, a 16 by 9 screen about 69.457 in across the diagonal fills that view, and it is 60.537 in wide.
Questions
What viewing angle should I use?
Many people are comfortable between 30 and 40 degrees. A larger number suits a home theatre, and a smaller one suits a bright room with other things to look at.
Does this work for every TV shape?
It assumes a 16 by 9 screen, which is the standard for most TVs. Older or wider screens will need their own figures.
Is a bigger TV always better?
Not always. Check the room, the wall space and the sitting spot before you pick a size.
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