How to Measure a TV
Updated
Measure a TV screen diagonally, from one corner of the picture to the opposite corner, in inches. Leave out the frame. That number is the size the TV is sold as.
How do I measure my TV screen size?
You need a tape measure and, for a big TV, a second pair of hands. It takes two minutes.
- Turn the TV off, so the edge of the picture is easy to see against the frame.
- Hold the tape at the top left corner of the screen, where the glass meets the frame.
- Run it across to the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Read the length in inches. If your tape shows centimeters, divide by 2.54.
What are the TV measurements for each size?
Most TVs are 16:9, so the width and height follow from the diagonal. A 55 inch screen is 47.9 in wide and 27.0 in tall (121.8 cm × 68.5 cm).
Screen only. Each TV size page lists the full body size of popular models.
How do I measure the space for a new TV?
Measure the width and height of the wall space or cabinet opening. Compare them with the body size of the model you want, which is a little bigger than the screen.
For the best size for your seating distance, use the TV size calculator.
How do I measure a TV’s VESA mount size?
Measure between the centers of the mounting holes on the back, in millimeters, first across and then up and down. Our VESA finder tells you if it is a standard pattern.
Why are TVs measured on the diagonal?
The habit dates back to old tube TVs, whose round glass tubes were sold by their diameter. The diagonal stayed as the one number that sums up a screen.
Two TVs with the same diagonal can still differ in shape. Nearly all TVs today are 16:9, so the width and height in the table above apply to them.
How do I find a TV’s size from its model number?
Most makers put the size in the model number. In names such as OLED65C4 or QN65Q80, the 65 is the screen size in inches.
Find the model number in one of these places:
- The label on the back of the TV.
- The settings menu, often under Support or About.
- The box, the manual or your receipt.
How do I measure for a TV stand or cabinet?
The stand needs to suit the TV’s feet, not just its screen. Measure these points:
- The width of the stand top, which must be wider than the gap between the TV’s feet.
- The depth of the stand top, which must be deeper than the feet.
- The weight limit, which must be more than the TV with its stand.
The spec sheet lists the feet width and weight. Our TV size pages list body sizes for popular models.
How high should I mount my TV?
Aim the middle of the screen at your eye level when seated, about 42.0 in (106.7 cm)106.7 cm (42.0 in) from the floor. For a 55 inch TV, the bottom edge then sits about 28.5 in (72.4 cm)72.4 cm (28.5 in) up.
Measure from the floor to your eyes while sitting on your sofa to fine tune it. Then match the mount to the TV’s VESA pattern.
How do I measure a TV’s depth?
Measure from the screen to the furthest point on the back, often the bulge where the electronics sit. The spec sheet lists depth with and without the stand.
On a wall, add the mount’s own depth to the TV’s depth. That tells you how far the TV will stand out from the wall.
What size TV should I get for my room?
Measure from your seat to the wall where the TV will go. Then look up that distance in our TV size calculator:
Our living room TV size guide walks through the choice step by step.
How do I measure a TV for moving?
Measure the full body width, height and depth, then add room for padding. If you still have the box, its size is printed on the side.
Carry the TV upright on its edge, not flat, unless the manual says otherwise. Check doors and hallways first if the TV is 75 inches or larger.
How do I measure an older 4:3 TV?
Measure it the same way, corner to corner. The shape changes the width and height, though: a 32 inch 4:3 TV is 25.6 in (65.0 cm)65.0 cm (25.6 in) wide and 19.2 in (48.8 cm)48.8 cm (19.2 in) tall.
A 32 inch 16:9 TV is wider at 27.9 in (70.8 cm)70.8 cm (27.9 in) but only 15.7 in (39.8 cm)39.8 cm (15.7 in) tall. If you replace an old TV, check the new one fits the cabinet width.
How much bigger is a 65 inch TV than a 55 inch one?
A 65 inch TV has 40% more screen than a 55 inch TV. It is 8.7 in (22.1 cm)22.1 cm (8.7 in) wider and 4.9 in (12.5 cm)12.5 cm (4.9 in) taller.
Ten inches on the diagonal sounds small, but the area grows much faster. Our TV size comparison draws any two sizes to scale.
How do I measure a TV in a shop?
Take a tape measure and note the screen and body sizes from the label or spec card. Then compare them with the space you measured at home.
A TV can look smaller in a large, bright shop than it will at home. Trust the numbers, not your eye.
Can I use the same method for a monitor or projector screen?
Yes. Monitors and projector screens are also sold by the diagonal of the picture area. Our monitor size checker helps with a monitor.
For a projector, see our projector screen size guide, which lists the width and height of each size.
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Do I measure a curved TV along the curve?
Measure corner to corner across the front of the screen. Check the result against the size on the spec sheet.
How do I measure a TV that is already on the wall?
The same way, corner to corner across the picture. Use a step stool and ask someone to hold the other end of the tape.
Does the TV size include the stand?
No. The size is only the screen diagonal. The stand adds to the height and sets the depth on furniture.
How do I measure a TV in centimeters?
Measure corner to corner in centimeters, then divide by 2.54 for the size in inches. A 140 cm diagonal is a 55 inch TV.
Is the TV size the same as its width?
No. The size is the diagonal, so a TV is always narrower than its size. A 55 inch TV is about 48 in (122 cm) wide.
Do you measure a TV with or without the frame?
Without. The size is the picture area only, so start and stop where the lit screen ends. Add the frame when you check if it fits a space.
Why does my TV measure a little under its size?
Many TVs are sold by size class, rounded to the nearest whole number. The measured picture can be a fraction of an inch smaller.
Can I find the size without a tape measure?
Yes. Look for the model number on the back label or in the settings menu. It usually contains the size, such as 55 or 65.
How we measure
Width = diagonal × 16 ÷ √(16² + 9²) and height = diagonal × 9 ÷ √(16² + 9²) for a 16:9 screen. Centimeters are inches × 2.54.