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By Adrian Back
When it comes to TV sizes, there is an assumption that bigger always means better. But is that really the case? Read on to discover exactly how to read TV sizes (both in inches and cm) so you can choose the right TV for any space.
The bigger the screen the better the viewing experience, right? Well, not always. A lot will depend on the size of the room, as sitting too close to the television can cause eye strain, especially when watching for a long period of time. Of course, on the other hand, you certainly don’t want to have to squint to see the image properly.
There is a formula for calculating TV size to distance which will help you find that sweet viewing spot. This can be found in the TV measurement chart below.
| TV size | Width | Height | Diagonal in cm |
Recommended distance from the couch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 inches | 75 cm | 45 cm | 81.28 cm | 1.34 m |
| 40 inches | 90 cm | 50 cm | 101.6 cm | 1.68 m |
| 42 inches | 93 cm | 52 cm | 106.68 cm | 1.76 m |
| 43 inches | 97 cm | 56 cm | 109.22 cm | 1.81 m |
| 48 inches | 108 cm | 63 cm | 121.92 cm | 2 m |
| 49 inches | 110 cm | 64 cm | 123 cm | 2 m |
| 55 inches | 123 cm | 71 cm | 139.7 cm | 2.3 m |
| 60 inches | 134 cm | 77 cm | 152.4 cm | 2.5 m |
| 65 inches | 145 cm | 83 cm | 165.1 cm | 2.7 m |
| 70 inches | 157 cm | 91 cm | 177.8 cm | 2.9 m |
| 75 inches | 168 cm | 95 cm | 190.5 cm | 3.15 m |
| 86 inches | 194 cm | 111 cm | 218.4 cm | 3.6 m |
This may differ from room to room, but the ideal height is to have the middle of the TV screen at eye level or slightly below. This is because lifting your eyes is very tiring and can cause strain when settling in for a movie marathon or bingeing your favourite series.
Most experts recommend the centre of the TV to be around one metre from the floor, however, this may differ depending on how tall you are and the height of your sofa or chair.
Of course, there are some exceptions, if you tend to watch television while sitting on a recliner or while lying in bed, the TV should be mounted higher. This could be as high as 1.8m. But in this case, it is best to have an adjustable mount that you can easily alter the angle depending on your position.
Remember being told off as a kid for sitting too close to the TV? Well, it seems parents really do know best. Having your TV too close to your sofa can cause temporary eye strain or eye fatigue, especially when watching for hours on end. Similarly, if you are too far away and find yourself struggling to see the action, then your eyes will feel the strain.
Luckily there are some formulas to help you find the ideal viewing distance. If you have a Full HD TV, then one popular rule is to simply use 4.2cm of viewing distance for every inch of the diagonal screen size. Therefore, a 50-inch screen would require you to sit 2.1m away.
However, this can be slightly adjusted when it comes to 4K and Ultra HD TVs. This is because resolution also plays a role in determining the ideal distance from the screen. Due to the improved image clarity and sharpness, the conversion is much lower. In this case, you can use 2.1cm of viewing distance for every inch of the diagonal screen size.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that this size TV was considered to be on the large side. Now very much in the small bracket, a 32-inch television still has many of the features that you will find in bigger models.
A great example of this is the LG 32LQ63006LA, which is a Full HD 32-inch TV that has an intelligent processor that enhances both colour and clarity. It also features AI Sound that delivers immersive sound quality, ThinQ AI – which allows you to easily control your TV with just your voice – and a built-in Game Optimiser to ensure you can easily change your settings to best fit the game you’re playing.
A great choice for those with limited space, these mid-range TVs work exceptionally well in small or average-sized living rooms. The LG OLED42C24LA is a popular choice, thanks to its versatile size and advanced technology.
Delivering incredible picture quality, it features a Brightness Booster that uses high luminance to create an even crisper, bolder and brighter image.
If you want to understand just how big a TV is or if you’re looking to convert TV dimensions from inches to cm, then the guide below should help.
As mentioned above, if you are thinking of buying a TV in this size range then you would ideally need to sit between 2-2.5m away from the screen. Fortunately, this distance is halved if you choose a 4K television. This means even an average living room could accommodate a 60-inch TV.
If you’re looking for an interesting design, the LG 48LX1Q9LA is a 48-inch 4K OLED TV that produces spectacularly vivid and accurate colours from any angle, in any space.
Alternatively, the LG 50QNED816QA is a 50-inch OLED that is packed with technology that movie buffs and gamers will love. Filmmaker mode automatically turns off picture processing settings that can make movies feel unnatural, while AMD FreeSync Premium ensures games can be enjoyed with almost imperceptible interruptions, stutters or input lag.
If you have space for a 55-inch 4K TV, then the LG OLED55G26LA not only features Filmmaker Mode, Brightness Boost and AI Picture Pro, but it also delivers incredible sound thanks to Dolby Atmos. What’s more, the TV supports Dolby Vision 4K gaming at 120Hz, meaning even ultra-fast actions appear crisp and smooth.
Is an 88-inch TV too big or just right? Convert TV dimensions from inches to cm easily with this guide.
At one time a screen this size would have been reserved for home cinemas, but thanks to the advances of OLED displays and higher resolutions, these huge TVs can now be found in living rooms around the world.
Even if you purchase an 88-inch TV, the perfect viewing distance is just over 1.8m if the model is 4K or higher. As long as you have enough space, there is no reason why you cannot go as big as possible. Of course, with that being said, you will also want to consider the screen height and make sure the middle of the TV screen is just below eye level.
Previously you would have also had to consider the viewing angle, especially in a large space where seats are not just directly in front of the TV. But OLED screens can be viewed with no luminance degradation even at drastic viewing angles. So all that’s left is to explore which option is right for you.
Should you want a 65-inch display, the LG 65NANO766QA is a great option for those with a tighter budget. The 4K NanoCell TV features an α5 Gen5 4K AI processor that ensures all content is optimised so that the picture quality is improved, it also comes with Google Stadia – meaning you have instant access to thousands of games.
If your budget stretches further, then the LG OLED65CS6LA is optimal for movie lovers and gamers alike. Not only do the millions of self-lit pixels ensure perfect black and deliver incredible contrast, but the TV is capable of a 1ms response time, meaning you won’t ever have to worry about lag when playing your favourite first-person shooter.
One of the newest additions to the range, the LG 75QNED866QA offers brand new technology that harnesses the best of Quantum Dot and NanoCell tech. It uses deep learning algorithms to send information to the backlight dimming blocks. It may sound technical, but what it delivers is a sharper and more natural image that minimises any halo effect.
But if you’re really looking to impress your friends and family, the LG OLED77C24LA is sure to do the job. This Gallery Design TV can be hung flush to the wall like a piece of art, whilst possessing an incredible amount of groundbreaking technology. Boasting uncompromised picture quality at any viewing angle, immersive sound and incredible clarity, it will impress whether bingeing your favourite series, watching the latest blockbuster or playing the newest video games.
Now you have a better understanding of how to measure TVs, how to read TV sizes and how to find the right TV viewing distance for any space. And thanks to modern technology that allows smaller rooms to house large TVs, don’t be afraid to dream big. All that’s left is to choose the right TV for you.
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